The Coordinator, Office of the Edo Governor’s Wife, Mrs Edesili Okpebholo-Anani, has said that empowering women through micro-business grants will help strengthen families, promote economic independence and boost prosperity across communities.
Okpebholo-Anani said this on Monday in Benin, while addressing over 300 beneficiaries of an empowerment programme sponsored by her office.
The theme of the programme was “Micro Business Empowerment: Empowering Women, Strengthening Families, Building a Prosperous Edo”.
She said the programme was designed “to support women, strengthen their businesses and create greater economic opportunities for families across the seven local governments in Edo South Senatorial District”.
According to her, the initiative reflects Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s commitment to improving citizens’ welfare through economic empowerment, inclusive development and direct support that promote self-reliance and productivity among the people.
Okpebholo-Anani said that Edo women engage in trading, agriculture, food processing, fashion, catering, petty businesses, crafts and other enterprises, but many required modest financial support for growth.
She urged the beneficiaries to regard the grants as seed capital, advising them to invest wisely in their businesses by increasing their stock, improving services, acquiring tools or expanding their customer base.
She also encouraged them to maintain financial discipline by keeping proper business records, separating business capital from personal expenses, reinvesting profits and continuously acquiring knowledge to improve their enterprises.
She urged successful beneficiaries to always observe rest after their daily routine and go for regular medical check-ups, saying that they needed to be alive for their families.
Mrs Vivian Amoen, the Zonal Head of Business (ZHOB), South-South 1 Zone, LAPO Microfinance Bank Ltd., advised beneficiaries to invest the grant in profitable ventures rather than fritter it away on materials that would fade away over time.
Amoen urged them to cultivate the habit of saving gradually for their children’s education, saying that education is the best form of retirement benefit.
“When you invest in your children, you won’t suffer in old age.
“Don’t chase material things or engage in wasteful ventures.
“Ensure you don’t eat up your seed; invest it in your business,” she said.
Some of the beneficiaries, who spoke at the end of the programme, commended Okpebholo-Anani for her kind gesture, saying that the grants would go a long way in improving their businesses.
One of the beneficiaries from Egor, Mrs Philomena Olonton, thanked her for empowering Edo women with money and foodstuffs.
She said that the grant would go a long way in improving her provision business.
Another beneficiary from Ovia North LGA, Mrs Tina Ehigiator, also expressed gratitude to Okpebholo-Anani for the empowerment, saying that she would invest the money in her farm.
Mrs Gift Osaretin, also from Ovia South West LGA, prayed God to protect Okpebholo-Anani from sicknesses and pains because of her kind gesture. (NAN)
