The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, through the 50Million African Women Speak Project (50MAWSP), Anambra State chapter, has organised a one-day free Information and Communications Training (ICT) and workshop for women entrepreneurs in Anambra State.
In her opening speech, Mrs Ngozi Muo, Anambra State Representative, who described the programme as entrepreneurship development for women on the use of ICT to enhance their businesses in Anambra State, stated that 50MAWSP is funded by the African Development Bank (AFDB).
She said the project targets 50 million women in business and is implemented by the African regions: the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), East African Community (EAC), and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
“The initiative consists of 38 African countries, of which our country Nigeria is one of them. Entrepreneurship gives one the opportunity to discover herself, her talent and showcase her products instead of depending entirely on her husband and children.
“50MAWSP allows women to find information on running businesses, accessing financial services, creating business opportunities online and access training resources ultimately contributing to their economic empowerment. A lot of training that costs so much has been done free of charge on the 50MAWSP App.” She said.
While disclosing the official website as https://www.women connect.org.,Mrs Muo urged Nigerian women entrepreneurs to support and liberate their families from the present economic hardships.
During the training, the first facilitator and resource person, Mrs Chinyere Otuonye, 50MAWSP Southeast Regional Representative and Enugu State Representative, trained the women on: unlocking business potentials through ICT, the challenges that need to be addressed, ICT tools in business enchantment, ICT platforms for business growth, collaboration, and networking opportunities both online and offline.
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Mrs. Otuonye, who also spoke on overcoming challenges: Building resilience through ICT, government initiatives, and support, further shared success stories of women entrepreneurs leveraging ICT.
On her part, the second facilitator and resource person, Mrs Nkechi Obinwa, a Youtuber, designer, and trainer of handcrafts and a member of 50MAWSP Anambra State, trained the women on the YouTube and WhatsApp business installation.
Meanwhile, the participants had a question-and-answer session with the facilitators and resource persons during the event themed “To Enlighten the Target Groups on Other Opportunities Through the Use of ICT.”
Recall that the minister of women affairs, Barrister Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, while speaking to women during her visit to Anambra State in September 2023, urged Anambra women to utilize the opportunity of having an Igbo minister by forming corporations in clusters of at least 20 members to partake in the coming projects.
The minister emphasized that she will do her best to link international communities to Anambra State to see that the mandate of Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is actualized.
Barrister Ohanenye further asserted that she is currently working with some non-governmental organizations, NGOs, and agencies to see that women are empowered economically for the smooth running of the home and society at large.
