By Maymunah Zubair
As the Kogi gubernatorial elections draw near, notable Non-profit organization, Women Entrepreneurs in Nigeria and Diaspora (WEND) Network has joined ongoing campaign activities across the state. WEND Network, an NGO under the aegis of the Achana Legacy Foundation has kicked off the Kogi-East leg of its empowerment/campaign initiative in Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro Constituency, Kogi State.
The program was well attended and saw a cross section of grassroots women, women leaders of the All Progressives Congress at the local level as well as other local government functionaries campaigns by empowering voting women in Kogi State and encouraging massive participation at the polls in support of the APC candidate Alhaji Ahmed Usman-Ododo. Kogi State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Hon. Gabriel Yunusa Olofu was also in attendance and chaired the event.
President and founder of the foundation, Dr. Maryam J Ogundepo in her address, called on women across the state to actively participate in the upcoming elections, saying that the time has come for women to take a more prominent role in the selection of its leaders. She opined that women make up more of the voting public, yet hold less economic power. She stated that her organisation was set to ensure equitable distribution of means of production to women in the state.
Speaking further, Dr. Ogundepo said that WEND Network has established the “10 x 10 x 10 1,000 Women Entrepreneurs in Nigeria and Diaspora for Ododo Campaign,” an initiative driven by the desire to see continuity of good governance already established by the Yahaya Bello – led administration by supporting the APC candidate. The initiative aims to empower women, and at the same time, encourage active participation in the coming elections and the polity as a whole.
The Convener said: “This initiative will encompass empowerment for groups of ten women each across varying forms of initiatives in all the local governments of Kogi State; we will be assisting ten women in their already established businesses and trades with the resources needed for their venture to thrive. New business owners will also benefit because WEND Network will also embark on training for ten women in areas such as bakery, as well as other vocational endeavours.
“Also, in a bid to encourage financial responsibility, we will also be training ten women in POS business and prompt business transactions in our rural communities. Pregnant and expecting mothers will also receive pre-natal vitamins to help and encourage healthy baby growth during pregnancy. We will also be setting up sponsorships and scholarships for ten primary school pupils in a bid to encourage and uplift impoverished children to go the distance in their education.”
Beneficiaries of the empowerment initiative received cash injection for their petty businesses at the event, while others were earmarked for training. All attendees received relief materials including food stuff, textiles, and other items.
