In a concerted effort to foster economic prosperity among women in Laniba, Balogun and Sode community in Akinyẹle local government area of Ibadan, the Aziza Development Foundation in partnership with Budgit orchestrated a pivotal business and financial literacy session.
The event, meticulously planned and executed was aimed at arming female nano and micro-entrepreneurs with essential knowledge and skills vital for navigating the intricate terrain of business ownership and availing them easy access to soft loan.
Amidst palpable anticipation, the session was held on Saturday, March 23, 2024 inside the premises of Laniba Grammar school, drawing a notable turnout of enthusiastic women eager to enhance their entrepreneurial prowess and funding.
The commencement of the program was marked by a registration exercise to capture the data of all the attendees carried out by the representatives of the foundation in collaboration with the representative of Budgit, Mr Ademuyiwa Adéyemí.
Welcoming the attendees with warmth and zeal, the Executive Director and founder of The Aziza Development Foundation, Funmi Okubanjo reiterated the organization’s unwavering commitment to uplifting women and fortifying their economic standing.
Funmi when having a tètè a tètè with the media personnel Mr James Odediran explained that the previous empowerment efforts of Mrs Toyin Adéyemí, who has been helping women with small businesses in Laniba especially widows to gain access to grants prompted her to visit the community.
She reminisced that the foundation is an off-shoot of a business and financial literacy program which she started from Radiant Futures in 2021, after a large number of women were victims of investment scam by informal institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic era.
Okubanjo further highlighted the success rate of the foundation, saying it has from 2021 to 2023 served over 7 local government areas mostly in the SouthWestern part of Nigerian, worked and trained over 300 women, and has also facilitated capital in terms of micro loans including a bit of grant for more than 40 women to start or grow their businesses.
She however lamented that one of the greatest challenges the foundation have been facing is changing the mindset of women from thinking beyond political influence or support from their elected officers and recognise the fact that private entities like the Aziza Development Foundation is only there to help and not to enrich it’s pocket.
The Executive Director, who then lauded the important contribution Budgit added to the sessions, noting that Mr Adéyemí’s input was helpful in educating the women on how best to hold government officials responsible and accountable, called on government at all levels to provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
Topics encompassed a broad spectrum ranging from book-keeping, traditional contribution popularly known as ‘Ajo’, the right type of Savings account to open, Insurance, and Pension scheme.
One of the pivotal moment during the session was the introduction of a beneficiary from previous sessions, Mrs Grace Balogun, who gave testimonials about how far the Aziza development foundation has been able to help women’s businesses in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun state.
In tandem with the promises made, the Aziza Foundation reassured the participants of the availability of a pocket friendly and stress free soft loan that will be made available to participants who showed serious commitment by showing up for subsequent cluster meetings.
While speaking during his session, Mr Ademuyiwa from Budgit enlightened the women on holding government officials accountable for required community development projects.
He also encourage them to find a way to collectively put checks and balance mechanism in place for public office holders, adding that the issue of Health should be taken as utmost priority.
Also at the occasion, the Baale of Laniba community Chief Olukunmi Laniba gave kudos to The Aziza Development Foundation for bringing such beneficial program to the town, saying it will greatly improve the business performance for the benefiting women.
Some of the participants including Chief Mrs Binuyo Folake who is the Women Leader for Laniba community, Mrs Adesola Adejuyigbe, and Mrs Owolabi Christiana expressed heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to expand their horizons and forge meaningful connections with like-minded individuals.
As the curtains drew on the sessions, Funmi reaffirmed the Aziza Development Foundation’s unwavering dedication to advancing women’s economic empowerment, and unveiled ambitious plans for future initiatives aimed at fostering sustained growth and prosperity for female entrepreneurs in Laniba and its environs.
The resounding success of the business and financial literacy session orchestrated by the Aziza Development Foundation reverberated throughout Laniba, Balogun, and Sode community, evoking optimism and renewed vigor among the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
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