2,000 Niger Delta women get UK, Nigeria-based foundations’ empowerment

Youth for Technology Foundation has empowered over 2,000 women entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta region through its “Nigerian Women Entrepreneurs and Mobile Value Added Services” programme.
The programme is in partnership with and support of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, a UK-based charity.
YTF’s President and CEO, Njideka Harry, noted: “There is no better investment than in women to spur economic growth and foster sustainable development.”
Harry stressed that women are the pillars of the communities and investments in women is the smart thing to do to improve the state of any national economy.
YTF has a demonstrable track record of implementing information and communications technology and entrepreneurship training for youth and women in Nigeria.
YTF’s Programme Manager, Ezekiel Nworie, at the training held at the Delta State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers’ hall in Asaba, the Delta State capital, said over 400 women entrepreneurs, representing small and medium enterprises, were receiving training to help them expand, grow and access capital for their businesses.
“Their businesses represent four key sectors of the national economy,” Nworie said, adding: “Light manufacturing, retail/wholesale, social services and hospitality.”
In addition to classroom/online training, industry tours and power hours (networking events), the women learn to use mobile value added services to access business tips, sustain their businesses through accessing their customers and supply chains more efficiently.
Guest speakers, including Dr. Stephen Chiemeke of the National Institute of Management, were invited.
Chiemeke delivered a paper on: “Financing Your Business.”
He highlighted various strategies to leverage traditional financing through commercial banks and micro-finance institutions.
He also emphasised the need for business owners to ensure they structure their businesses correctly to maximise profit. 
Bliss Egbare and her business partner, Antonia Odu, shared thoughts on their wholesale business, which produces native cloth, Akuocha.
They were pleased with the training and Egbare noted the importance of specialising and remaining focused on her business instead of becoming jack of all trades and master of none.
Odu added: “Although, this is my first time of participating in this kind of a seminar, I have however learnt a lot on how business can grow, how funds can be sourced and used to improve on one’s business.”