By Chinyere Ogbuagu/Ukpa Ewa
Women in Ikenga Community, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State have been urged to cultivate the habit of regular savings through Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) to improve their livelihoods and access economic empowerment opportunities under the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up Project (NFWP-SU).
The charge was made by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare Mrs. Esther Onyekesi, through the Commissioner II, Anambra State Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Philomina Okoli, during the Anambra NFWP-SU community entry and sensitisation programme held at Ikenga Progressive Union Secretariat on July 24.
Mrs. Okoli explained that regular savings remained an important tool for women’s economic advancement, noting that the commissioner, being an indigene of Ikenga, was particularly pleased that the project was being implemented under the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare.
Receiving the state coordinating team earlier at his palace, the traditional ruler of Ikenga Community HRH, Igwe Akuakandu Chukwunonso Ezekafor (Ike Ikenga III of Ikenga) described the initiative as government unique intervention that surpassed previous empowerment efforts in the community. He expressed confidence that Ikenga would emerge as one of the best performing communities in Aguata under the project and urged women to maximise the opportunity.
Also in her remarks, the Local Government Field Supervisor (LFS), Dr. Ebere Okonkwo said Governor Chukwuma Soludo brought the NFWP-SU to improve the welfare of women through financial inclusion and sustainable livelihoods. She maintained that Aguata was selected as the pilot LGA and the programme will be implemented across the three senetorial zones in the state.
Dr. Okonkwo who applauded the impressive turnout of women, described it as a demonstration of their readiness to take up development opportunities while explaining that women would be supported to form WAGs where they would save regularly, expand their businesses and qualify for government support through the Community Investment Fund. She urged participants to take the programme seriously.
The Community Institution Builder (CIB) Mrs. Chiamaka Agbili noted that only women aged 18 years and above with existing businesses would qualify to be a member of WAG. She added that WAGs would be self selected, meet weekly and receive continuous training from Ward Facilitators even as participants would also be trained on leadership skills.
She highlighted additional benefits of the programme, including linkages to financial institutions, health insurance services, bank account opening and National Identity Number enrollment for underserved women. She explained that the WAG model was different from conventional savings and cooperative groups because participants data would be uploaded to the Federal Coordinating Unit for effective monitoring and accountability.
Delivering his session, the Project Livelihood Advisor, Dr. Ekene Adokwe advised women to join WAGs where they felt comfortable rather than following friends. He pointed out that the Community Investment Fund was designed to strengthen existing businesses and described the government loan as a revolving facility. He also appreciated the men who attended the sensitization to support the women.
Furthermore, the Gender-Based Violence Anchor Chinenye Ilona during her presentation said that the programme was inclusive and open to all eligible women residing in the community irrespective of their origin. She stressed that the project had zero tolerance for bribery, corruption, sexual exploitation and abuse or any form of discrimination, encouraging participants to always hold their meetings in safe environments.
In her vote of thanks, the Community Women Leader, Mrs. Ezenweke Faustina assured the project team that the women would faithfully implement everything they had learnt.
Chinyere Ogbuagu and Ukpa Ewa are of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation Anambra State
