Women entrepreneurs gathered at the 1st Daily Trust Women Entrepreneurs Summit and Exhibition to deliberate on their role as entrepreneurs and the Nigerian economy.
The event which held at Shehu Yar’adua Centre, Abuja on Tuesday attracted many women entrepreneurs; from the serial entrepreneur to women in agriculture, those in banking, to those involved in the production of various products.
They all shared their experiences in the business world and inspired one another to attain greater heights in their chosen fields of endeavour.
Hajiya Amina Titi Atiku
In her remarks, the chairperson of the occasion, Mrs Amina Titi Atiku, said more women need to be empowered with skills to enable them thrive in various businesses.
She said without skills, women cannot excel as entrepreneurs which informed why she teaches young women various skills at her rehabilitation centre in Gwarinpa, FCT.
Titi Atiku also urged Nigerians to abhor and desist from women and human trafficking, adding that there is dignity in labour.
Hajiya Maryam Tambuwal
On her part, the wife of Sokoto State governor, Hajiya Maryam Tambuwal, urged more women to create business ventures for entrepreneurship to thrive in the country.
Mrs Tambuwal who was represented by Dr Maryam Garba Wamakko, said no country can succeed without entrepreneurship and women must key into it to help the Nigerian economy to grow stronger.
Hajiya Asmau Idris, wife of the Inspector General of Police
Hajiya Asmau Idris, the wife of the IG of Police, who was represented by Hajiya Bilikisu Sani Mohammed, said there is nothing as good as women being self-employed, adding that entrepreneurship is not just about making money but adding value to the society.
She urged women to be more focused and creative as that will make them stand out in their different endeavours.
“You must tailor your energy to were your strength lies. Entrepreneurship starts from the home. Managing your home is your first skill to becoming an entrepreneur,” she said.
Mrs Ekatte Umoh, a banker and Chairperson of Neca Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW)
Mrs Ekatte Umoh, a banker and chairperson of Neca Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) said for women businesses to outgrow them, they need to build structures.
“Structures will keep business going, even when you are not there; even when you travel, your business will keep running.
She also harped on the need to have a market, not just funds. In other words, which need is your business filling? Who are your target clients?
Networking is also key. When you network with other people, then they will help fill the gaps in your business,” she said.
Umoh also urged women entrepreneurs to get new skills and knowledge.
“When you increase knowledge and get a new skill, there are some things you may not need loans for,” she said.
The CEO of AgroEarn Integrated Services
Barrister Fatima Mayaki, who is the CEO of AgroEarn Integrated Services, a farmer and lawyer, spoke about the need for more women to be engaged in agriculture as a business. She spoke on the topic ‘Empowering Women Through Agriculture and Impact on the National Economic Development‘.
“A lot of women can empower themselves through agriculture because you do not need so much land or even capital to go into agric business. With a pot and a small space, you can plant anything of your choice and when it grows, you make money from it, no matter how little, ”she said.
She further stated that no country can advance without empowering 50% of its population which are women. The empowerment of women will increase income in the home and the standard of living of the family, she added.
Barr Mayaki she said increased income will also lead to increased taxes for the government especially haing more people working in factories.
Business and Legal Strategist, Barrister (Mrs) Ebuk Ekpo
Barrister Ebuk Ekpo, who spoke on the topic ‘Women Entrepreneurship in Nigeria’, defined a woman entrepreneur as a woman empowered. A woman empowered, she said, “is a nation empowered and a nation empowered is future empowered.”
Ekpo said women have the potential to own big businesses in Nigeria as doing business gives women money and power.
She urged women to be self-confident, adding that training helps women to have more confidence and that enables them to innovate. “You need to innovate to shoot up,” she said.
She reminded women that they are co-creators and that everyone who succeeded must have started somewhere.
The lawyer ended with a Richard Branson quote; “Entrepreneurship is about turning what excites you in life into capital, so that you can do more of it and move forward with it,” and urged women not to be dissuaded by challenges when involved in any enterprise.
Mrs Alayingi Sylva, an entrepreneur and wife of former governor of Bayelsa State
Mrs Alayingi Sylva spoke about the need for women to use the social media as a tool for marketing. “Get the knowledge and move into the social media space because marketing has moved from the shops to facebook, instagram, snapchat, twitter and so on. Start using the platforms for marketing and not just for social networking,” she said.
In his welcome address, the CEO/Editor-in-Chief of Daily Trust Newspaper, Malam Mannir Dan-Ali, who was represented by the Deputy Editor-in-Chief Mal Mahmud Jega, said entrepreneurship was the way to go as a country and thanked God that more women were going into entrepreneurship.
