By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
As part of activities to mark the 2022 International Women’s Day (IWD), Kada Hive in partnership the USAID Feed the Future – Nigeria Agribusiness Investment Activity has held a consultative session, featuring live and zoom participants.
At the interaction held on Thursday March 10 at its corporate office, Manager of Kada Hive, Zahra Yunusa, said that it was part of activities lined up to mark the day with the theme, “Gender Equality Today For A Sustainable Tomorrow”.
She stressed that nurturing women folk is an important aspect in every society.
Live panelist, Saude Atoyebi; the Kaduna State Deputy Chief of Staff Government House, commented on the importance of the International Women’s Day and when it meant to her as a woman.
“It is an important time to bring female issues to the fore, as in Nigeria, especially the North, we are far behind. I know that there are loads of women entrepreneurs in Kadunà that can do amazingly well if given the opportunity” she said.She added that women need to be given a fighting chance to prove their worth.
“If we want sustainable growth, we need to involve women.“In Kaduna lots of women are in leadership positions. Half of the commissioners are women.
Joining the interaction via Zoom, another panelist, Bridget Ajayi, a business development specialist, said that self-determination led to the success she is experiencing.“IWD is a day we recognize ourselves and our achievements as women.
“Self-determination contributed to me becoming successful and my dad also encouraged me,” she said.She expressed excitement that women are beginning to take the big stage in all spheres of life.
“I was always pushing for success and that took me to where I am today. Where I work, there are three female CEOs,” she informed.
Speaking also via Zoom, Abimbola Adebakin said that the International Women’s Day is one that gives opportunity to talk about equity. She described the theme as apt, stressing that for a long time, the male child has been given more advantages.
Prior to the hybrid event, Kada Hive with support from the USAID Feed the Future – Nigeria Agribusiness Investment Activity organized a business training for women entrepreneurs with an emphasis on helping them build competence, and investment attractiveness.
The plan is to facilitate access to finance by introducing them to banks, investors and other financing organization.
Representatives of Sterling Bank and Stanbic IBTC were present to talk about different products available for women businesses.
Other activities that held during the event included a business pitching session where a select few were given the opportunity to share their business and funding needs to expand and scale.
The Bank officials and interested investors were in attendance to vet the businesses. After wards a business fair was held to showcase women owned businesses and their products.
Comments from most beneficiaries of the event were positive, many women entrepreneurs who attended both events applauded the organizers for taking the initiative and expressed hopes that it continues.
