After a successful training, 30 Kaduna-based women at the weekend graduated from the second group of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), a United States of America (USA) government initiative that supports women entrepreneurs.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Mrs Amina Lawal of Toe-to-Heel Initiative and coordinator of the training said, the programme was a White House-led initiative designed to empower women to fulfil their God-given economic potentials all over the word.
According to her, the first cohort in Kaduna State had 25 beneficiaries and the cohort two now had a total of 30 beneficiaries. She added that the experience had been very amazing so far.
She said AWE helped women entrepreneurs connect with funding opportunities, enhance opportunities for business expansion, and increase the likelihood of entrepreneurial success.
Lawal said, the AWE participants came from various backgrounds and levels of business expertise.
The benefits of the AWE initiative, according to her will continue long after the programme ends, as the participants apply the skills learned to their own businesses and become part of a robust network of women business leaders.
In her remarks, Kaduna State deputy governor, Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, commended Mrs. Lawal and her team for the great opportunities given to women in Kaduna.
Balarabe said the programme was in line with Kaduna State Women Entrepreneurs Loan Scheme while urging the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs to go down to the grassroots and get more local business women involved in the programme.
She told the participants that their successful participation had equipped them with the requisite skills and knowledge they needed to take their ventures to the next level while helping them to reintegrate into the society.
The deputy governor said she had been impressed with the enthusiasm of the programme’s participants and the expertise of the trainers and congratulated those who received business grants.
Earlier, the president of National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) Kaduna State Council, Zanaib Hassan, said the quality of training impacted on the participants, if judiciously put into use, would take them to places.
