By Chinyere Ogbuagu/Ukpa Ewa
Women in Amesi community, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State have expressed their readiness to participate in the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) Project as community entry and sensitization activities continued across the state.
The meeting, held at the Amesi Social Club of Nigeria (ASCON) Hall, attracted women, community leaders and major stakeholders who were sensitized on the objectives and benefits of the World Bank supported project being implemented by the Anambra State Government.
Welcoming participants, the Local Government Facilitator, Dr. Ebere Charity Okonkwo encouraged the women to embrace the programme regardless of their background or place of origin.
She described Amesi people as hospitable and commended the impressive turnout, urging participants to set aside any misconceptions they may have had about cooperatives.
“The Women Affinity Group (WAG) model is unique. It is specifically designed to empower women through collective support and economic collaboration, so I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity,” she said.
Also speaking, the Project Coordinator, Ms. Hope Okoye, said the programme was designed to improve the socio economic wellbeing of women and youths through empowerment and financial inclusion. She noted that women often face economic challenges that contribute to domestic hardship, emphasising that empowering women would strengthen families and communities. According to her, the project is implemented through Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) comprising 20 to 25 self-selected women who are at least 18 years old, reside in the community and engage in a legitimate economic activity, no matter how small.
Okoye explained that the NFWP-SU is being implemented in the state following the success of the first phase of the programme with Abia State representing South East amongst 6 states of the 6 Geopolitical zones of the Nation. She commended the Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo for bringing the project to Anambra State to expand economic opportunities for women.
She added that beneficiaries would also be linked to the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA), while Ward Facilitators would be recruited to support effective grassroots implementation.
Speaking on behalf of the President-General of AmesiDevelopment Union, Engr. Austin Ezechukwu, represented by Onyike Johnbosco Ebuka, described the initiative as a welcome development that would provide women with the information and support needed to grow their businesses. He commended the state government for prioritizing women’s empowerment, noting that many women in Amesi are engaged in trading, farming, palm oil production and cassava processing.
Also speaking, the Women Leader of Amesi, Chief NnekaEnwelu thanked the state government for extending the programme to the community, assuring the project team that the women were ready to form Women Affinity Groups and fully participate in the initiative. She said the intervention would improve the livelihoods of rural women, strengthen household incomes and enable many petty traders to better support their families and children.
Furthermore, the representative of Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA), Anthonia Okoli who enlightened participants on the benefits of the state subsidised health insurance scheme, urged women to enroll and take advantage of affordable healthcare services. She emphasised that good health remains essential for productivity and encouraged participants to value their health by registering with the agency.
Participants were also sensitised on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), with facilitators stressing the project zero tolerance for all forms of violence, abuse and discrimination. They explained that the programme is inclusive of indigenes, non-indigenes and persons with disabilities residing in the community and encouraged beneficiaries to report any form of abuse or project related grievance through the project toll-free line, 08000066661.
The sensitisation in Amesi is part of the ongoing statewideawareness campaign by the Anambra State NFWP-SU across the 14 participating Communities in Aguata as the resource local government area, ahead of the full implementation of the project in 6 LGAs across the 3 Senatorial Zones of the State.
Chinyere Ogbuagu and Ukpa Ewa are of Ministry of Information Anambra State
