The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has inaugurated the Women Trade Group (WTG) of the chamber, as parts of efforts to encourage entrepreneurship among women
ACCI President, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, while inaugurating the group in Abuja, underscored the role of women in economic development, adding that it was critical to the overall national development agenda.
Kayode, in a statement signed by Mr Lubem Gena, ACCI Media and Strategy Officer, on Sunday emphasised that the chamber, as a vital platform for national development, had taken the plight of women very seriously.
He said that it had taken the giant leap in impacting positively on the role of women in businesses by forming and actually inaugurating the group.
“We are committed to creating a platform backed with a level playing ground for our women to network among themselves.
“By doing this, we will be unlocking several doors of opportunities and linking them with key stakeholders that will account for the growth of their businesses. We also have a cooperative to help the women.
“The purpose of cooperative is to support our members. I have gotten approval of the Executive Committee of the chamber to clash the interest rate on lending.
“We want businesses to grow and survive. That is why we are toeing this line”, the president added.
He described Coronavirus pandemic as an economic threat to all irrespective of race or nationality, adding that it would affect everyone in economic terms including women in view of their role in maintaining families.
He called for innovative ideas and solutions to support government economic policies that would meltdown the effect of the disease.
Hajiya Saratu Aliyu, President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), commended the ACCI for its effort.
According to her, the initiative will spur women to achieve the zenith of entrepreneurship.
“Women must know what they want and stick to it so far as it will benefit their families and the society in general,’’ she said.
Aliyu enjoined women to have confidence in themselves and vigorously pursue entrepreneurship.
The ACCI Vice President in charge of Women Development, Roselyn Nwosu, also urged women to maximally use the platform and leverage on the opportunities provided by ACCI to develop their business entities.
Nwosu underscored the essence of the group by saying that the women in the group have identified entrepreneurship as the way to go and are taking their destiny into their hands.
She urged them to remain resilient in spite of the challenges that may stand on their way.
The Director-General of ACCI, Ms Victoria Akai, expressed satisfaction with the initiative, adding that it was coming as an intervention plan to women.
She acknowledged the role of women in economic development and urged that the tempo should be maintained.
“Women entrepreneurs have contributed, in no small way, to the economic growth of Nigeria which should not be underestimated.
“Their contributions mostly are in the areas of job creation, poverty alleviation, economic growth and financial sustainability.
“Women entrepreneurs face a lot of challenges, which may discourage them from going into business, yet they are being motivated to start their own businesses”, she stressed.
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