Thousands of grassroots women traders in Cross River State, south-south Nigeria, have received major financial boost following the launch of an economic empowerment initiative.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu unveiled the initiative known as the “Cross River Market Women Forum for Greatness” at the U. J. Esuene stadium in Calabar, the state capital, where more than 5,600 women benefited from the intervention.
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Mrs. Tinubu, represented by the wife of the Cross River State governor, Eyoanwan Otu, said the initiative was aimed at promoting economic inclusion and strengthening small-scale businesses owned by grassroots women.
She said, “I am particularly encouraged that this forum seeks to unite market women under a common vision of progress, cooperation and empowerment. When women are supported to succeed in business, families are strengthened, communities become more resilient and the foundations of sustainable development are reinforced.”
According to her, the forum aligned with the Nigerian Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises women’s economic participation through access to opportunities, skills acquisition, finance and social support.
She stressed that empowering women with non-refundable grants of fifty thousand naira (₦50,000) each to “enable them expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.” remained critical towards achieving inclusive economic development.
2014 IWD inspiration
The governor’s wife said she was inspired to establish the initiative from the 2024 International Women’s Day themes, which focused on tackling economic disparities and creating a more equitable, diverse and supportive world for women.
Mrs Otu stated, “the Cross River Market Women’s Forum is more than just an organisation. It is a movement of hope, unity and prosperity. Through strategic interventions, capacity building, financial support and advocacy, we will continue to create an enabling environment that helps our market women grow their businesses and support their families..”
She advised the traders reciprocate the gesture by supporting the people-oriented governance policies of the Nigerian and state government as well as urged them to obtained the Permanent Voters Cards before the 2027 general elections.
Also speaking at the event, the deputy governor, Dr. Peter Odey, who represented Governor Bassey Otu, urged market women to register and collect their PVCs ahead of future elections.
Odey praised the women for contributing their quota, through regular payments of rates and levies, to the government, noting that the governor’s investments in road infrastructure, primary healthcare and women empowerment programmes were proof of Otu’s People First policy
Speaking for the beneficiaries, the secretary of the association, Rita Egbe, described market women as the economic backbone of families and communities, stressing that a newly established government-owned microfinance bank would improve access to finance and strengthen local businesses.
The occasion climaxed with the distribution the ₦50,000 cash to the women, including other empowerment items such as Point-of-Sale (POS) machines, business starter packs, wrappers, umbrellas, aprons and bags of rice.
Highlight of the event was a dance parade by market women from the 18 council areas of Cross River State including Igbo market women and others in Calabar.
