The wife of Anambra State Governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo, on Saturday, distributed cash as empowerment to 1,085 women of Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state.
The women who are mostly petty traders, also known as ‘Ndi Afia Table,’ because their businesses are usually done on tables in open stalls, were empowered to help them expand their businesses.
According to the governor’s wife, who spoke to the beneficiaries during the distribution at the Dunukofia Local Government Secretariat, Ukpo, it is not about the amount given, but the commitment of the beneficiaries to using the seed money to better their lives.
Describing women as the pillars of the family, who bear the bigger brunt of financial pressure in their homes, Mrs Soludo explained that the idea behind the gesture was to support them to boost their enterprise, and in turn, be able to support their families.
“We know that most of you are petty traders, but if you apply the funds we are giving you now to your business and apply due diligence, you will excel.
“You can also build a relationship with the people who supply goods to you, such that they can give you on the condition that when you sell, you can pay them. If you’re honest, they will trust you and you can use the opportunity to expand your business,” she said.
Mrs Soludo revealed the event was done in collaboration with renowned oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze and Jim Martin Nwabueze, who provided the funds for the empowerment, whom she commended for thinking towards humanity and for providing solutions to the economic sustainability of poor homes in the LGA.
Acknowledging that the state also runs similar economic empowerment opportunities through the Anambra Small Business Agency (ASBA), the Anambra first lady said the opportunities are open to small and medium-scale business cooperative groups in the form of low-interest business and agricultural loans/grants.
“We urge you to capitalize on the opportunities provided by ASBA to also boost your businesses, as the agency is open and ready to assist any organized cooperative groups ready to come in,” she advised.
The governor’s wife also used the opportunity to educate the women on the need to live and eat healthy, as well as exercise their bodies.
Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Chairman of Dunukofia LGA, Barr Chijioke Ozumba said the distribution marks a major effort towards lifting many families within the Council Area from poverty, expressing appreciation to all who supported the initiative.
Ozumba applauded the commitment of the governor’s wife to the cause of women, describing her as a humane and caring mother.
Some of the beneficiaries of the empowerment, Anuli Egwuonwu, an Okpa seller, and Mrs Chinyere Ekemeka, a fruit seller, said they were overjoyed being selected to benefit from the scheme, expressing gratitude to their benefactors.
They assured that they will deploy the money appropriately to grow businesses and assist their families.
