Oyo Women Entrepreneurship Summit: Speakers decry unhealthy business environment; call for govt. support

Speakers at the Oyo Women Entrepreneurship Summit (OWES) on Wednesday decried the unhealthy business environment for entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

They also called on the government to support women entrepreneurs who are usually confronted with the problem of raising capitals for their business enterprises.

Speaking at the event, Barrister Natasha Hadiza Akpoti, a social entrepreneur and a political reformer called for more affirmative action from government to improve the participation of women in politics.

Barrister Natasha, who noted that no business could strive without an idea, also stressed the need for women entrepreneurs to get the right ideas that would make their businesses to flourish.

Also commenting, Hon. Mrs. Folasade Faparusi Akinrinmola of Sadegboyin Foundation posited that women must have multiple streams of income in order to have financial stability as a woman.

She called on women to embrace more vocational skills and personal development in order to survive the harsh economic situation in Nigeria.

Speaking further, she maintained that there are women who are doing the nations proud, while emphasizing the need for women to be courageous, ready to take risk, manage their time because Nigeria as a nation needs women to take on leadership responsibilities.

Faparusi, however called on women to rise up to the yearnings of the society, discover their qualities and say no to the challenges of life.

According to her, “Challenges are ladder to the next level; it is only when you are able to face challenges that you can move to the next level”.

The Convener of the programme and the initiator of ARA Foundation, Princess Aderonke Ramat Adedoja while speaking on the motive behind the Oyo Women Entrepreneurship Summit revealed that the programme was aimed at educating and encouraging women to rise up to the highest level by improving themselves towards occupying leadership positions in business and politics.

Princess Adedoja explained that ARA Foundation was established in order to take care of orphans and the less privileged in the society. She hinted that the ARA foundation which had started giving support to the less privileged since December, 2020, decided to come up with the Oyo Women Entrepreneurship Summit as a wake- up call to women.

Other speakers at the event included, Hon. Fateema Mohammed Ogunkola the initiator of Famo Foundation, among others.

The 3-day event will also feature IITA presentation on Quality seed Production for Agribusiness, SME product exhibition by various banks and empowerment for women.