US Empowers Women on Financial Independence

The United States Consulate in Lagos yesterday organised a programme to help women achieve their goal of being financially independent hence laying down a good foundation for their children and generations to come. The Public Diplomacy Officer of the United States Consulate in Lagos, Rhonda Watson, said the programme was basically part of the US government commitment to empower Nigeria women and manage their skills.

“We want Nigerian women to be rich and be in the forefront of peace and development in their homes and communities”, she stated. She added that the programme’s aims are to contribute to the achievement of the United State development goal to end poverty and also create a platform for women to significantly contribute to the socio economic development of their communities and homes.

“I will encourage all of you to create the vision of what you want in the next stage of your life, no matter where you are you must always have that vision you are earning for, because if you don’t have vision of what you are earning for, how are you going to know you are going to get there”, Watson stated in her opening remarks at the event.

She also urged the women not to depend on their husbands or family finance; encouraging them to embark on some concrete actions that would make them realise their dreams and work hard on their visions She encourages twomen to develop themselves through training and reading broadly, urging them to desist from “self- limiting beliefs”.

A guest speaker at the event, Mrs Nimi Akinkugbe also enjoined Nigerian women to begin to take charge of their financial dependence, especially with the country’s current economic challenges. Akinkugbe posited that there was currently a dysfunctional relationship between women and their finances, adding that it was important for women to act fast.