Women have been urged to engage in meaningful businesses in order to contribute effectively to the task of nation building.
The wife of Anambra State Governor, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano who made the call in Lagos during a one-day skill acquisition and empowerment programme organised by Anambra State Women Association Lagos (ASWAL), said when women are gainfully employed they will not only assist their husbands in taking care of the needs in the family but also contribute to the development of the nation.
‘’No Woman should be idle, with little fund one can start a small business and by the time you know it , such woman has become an employer of labour, thereby reducing the problem of unemployment in the country, Mrs. Obiano said.
Speaking also at the event, president of ASWAL, Dr. (Mrs.) Nkeiru Ifekwem, said that the workshop which came under the theme, ‘’ 21st Century Woman: The Critical Success Factors’’ was in line with the vision of the organization which is to empower its members with the right values for development and service to humanity.
According to her, the organization since its 25 years of existence has embarked upon plethora of people-oriented programmes aimed at sensitizing and uplifting Anambra women, both in Lagos and in their home state.
The programmes, she said, are in form of workshops, seminars, skill acquisition, training, health talks and pol
She commended the effort of the Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, adding, “ While most States depend on Abuja for salaries, Anambra State remains one of the few states that still embark on capital projects after paying salaries.”
Speaking earlier, Chairman of the occasion, Dr. (Mrs.) Nkem Okoro, lauded ASWAL for the initiative of empowering its members and added that there is no other time to empower women than now that the country is facing hard economic recession and unemployment.
In her words: ‘’This great sacrificial gesture of ASWAL to extend a helping hand to empower women is unprecedented at a time when people do not have enough to meet their unending needs, talk more of having to give those in need.
‘’The era of white collar jobs are long over. Self employment and self production of adequate and qualitative goods and services is the critical way to go. It is therefore expedient that women are equipped with the knowledge and skill to ensure excellent production of goods and services for optimal wealth creation.’’
Speaking on a topic: ‘’The Critical Success’’, Mrs. Felicia Agubata regretted that despite the observed strides and pockets of achievements by women, some people are impatient with the progress on women ascendency.
Mrs. Agubata who is also the incoming president, Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), stressed the need for women to learn the skill of foresight adding, ‘’ Foresight helps us to pull the future into presentand transition from a position of reactive disruption to a proactive transformation’’.
Emphasizing the importance of capacity building and education, she said it guarantees equalization and added that women should pursue education and enlightenment to make mark in their chosen professions.
