By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Women group, under the aegis of Nigeria Association of Women Entrepreneurs (NAWE), has appealed to the Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, to assist the female gender who are striving in businesses with tools that will enable them grow their entrepreneurial ventures.
NAWE said if the proper tools for doing business are provided to women, they will compete favorably with the male counterpart and contribute their quota to the growth of the country’s economy.
Speaking during a courtesy visit paid to the Minister in Abuja recently, President of the group, Barr. Vera Ndanusa, said finance and poor infrastructure tops the many challenges faced by women to succeed in business.
Represented by the Deputy National President NAWE, Mrs. Moon Udo-Imeh, Ndanusa added that the group is aware that the Minister has strived to empower women since assuming office but like “Oliver Twist”, would still appeal for more.
“We are here today to express our gratitude for your unwavering support towards women entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Your commitment to creating an enabling environment for us to thrive and succeed in our businesses has not gone unnoticed.
“We appreciate the various initiatives and programs that the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has put in place to support women entrepreneurs, such as access to finance, training, mentorship and networking opportunities”, Ndanusa said.
She continued: “As women entrepreneurs, we face various challenges in our journey to success, including limited access to finance, lack of business skills and poor infrastructure. However, we are resilient and determined to overcome these challenges and make a meaningful contribution to the economy of our country”.
The group enumerated the challenges faced as conducive business environment, collaborative opportunities, market access, Trade reform policies as well as capacity building and funding.
NAWE informed the Minister that there will be a summit by next year.
“We will be having a women’s summit with an exhibition next year. We would be grateful if the Ministry can partner with us for a successful outing”, the group appealed.
NAWE condoled with the Minister on the death of her mother, praying that God will continue to give her the fortitude to bear the loss.
However, the Minister who was visibly absent promised through her aids that a subsequent meeting will be conveyed upon her return.
