The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has inaugurated the officials of the Women in Business Trade Group in a bid to drive the group through harnessing the potential of women entrepreneurs by providing the necessary support to empower the members to succeed in their entrepreneurial endeavours.
The ACCI Vice President of Agriculture and Chairman of Medical Trade Group, Dr Kolawole Owoka, who inaugurated the group on behalf of the President, Dr Al-Mujtaba Abubakar stated that the Chamber is a big-time supporter of women adding that 60 per cent of the members of the Chamber are women owned or led businesses.
Dr Kolawole who lauded the efforts of women in their contributions to family and nation development stated that women are great multipliers and whatever is given to them to handle is bound to produce great results adding that the chamber is interested in whatever adds value to the women hence, the basis for different trainings and workshops we regularly organize for the women in our database.
The newly inaugurated officials are Mrs Chioma Njoku, Chairperson, Amina Akai, Vice Chairperson, and Amina Abdullahi Umole, Secretary.
ACCI Vice President Women Development and Gender Matters, Barr. (Mrs) Roseline Obiageli Nwosu stated that the Chamber has many programs for women in business in various fields and also gives incentives to encourage more women to register as a members of the chamber.
The Director General ACCI, Victoria Akai who appreciated everyone present lauded the efforts of women in contributing their quotas to their families and to NIgeria’s economic development. She used the opportunity to invite the women to the upcoming 18th Abuja International Trade Fair (AITF) while revealing that over 20 free exhibition booths have been set aside for women SMEs as part of the Chamber’s support for their growth.
The Chairman of the Trade Group Mrs Chioma Njoku while giving her acceptance remarks, appreciated ACCI for giving her such a mandate that will bring women together to build an enabling environment for businesses to strive, thereby creating thousands of jobs, generating revenue, and enhancing the economic development of the country.
Mrs. Njoku said that different strategies will be deployed to ensure that women have the same workspace and opportunities as men from organizing seminars, and workshops, capacity development training, accessibility to market and funds, export promotion, establishing networking platforms, and others.
The Vice Chairperson of the group, Amina Akai while reading the prospect of the group stated that “this Trade Group seeks to contribute to a more equitable and prosperous future by harnessing the untapped potential of women entrepreneurs and providing the necessary support to empower the members to succeed in their endeavours. Hence, exploring the multifaceted role of women in business, focusing on their contributions, challenges, and the strategies needed to further empower women entrepreneurs and professionals.”
She said the purpose of the group amongst others includes; harnessing ways of boosting Women’s businesses and closing the gender gap, to promote ways to improve women’s participation in Chamber business and activities. to provide business services, training, access to finance, and access to markets, information, and technology, particularly to members of this trade group, to commit the other committees to have a gender balance in their membership and to create sustainable opportunities and networking amongst members.
The inauguration drew participants from the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP), the Women Chamber of Commerce International (WCCI), the Women Arise Development and Humanitarian Initiative (WADHI), and Tan Global Academy.
In attendance were; ACCI’s immediate past vice president of finance, Alh. Balarabe Usman, a council member and member of the ACCI Women Group, Mr Oluseyi Babaseyi, Director BEST Centre, Dr Tinuke Temitope and other