The Cross River state Governor, Senator, Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has vowed to continue to support the global campaign for women emancipation and empowerment for accelerated development in realisation of its people's first mantra.
Senator Otu who was represented by the Secretary to the state government, Prof. Anthony Owan Eno, made the pledge while addressing Women at this year's International Women's Day organised by the Cross River state Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (MEDA) in Calabar.
He noted that the increased number of female appointees and elective positions in leadership testifies to the fact that the present administration is not only gender friendly but supportive to policies that promote the livelihood of women in the state and commended the Wife of the state Governor, Bishop Dr. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu for her efforts in ensuring that women at all levels enjoy the dividends of democracy.
"The Cross River state government is supportive of women, we believe the time for women Emancipation and empowerment for accelerated development is now. We are in the regime of women", he stated.
Gov. Otu expressed the view that women deserve better treated since men have denied them of their rights economically, politically, socially and otherwise emphasising the need for men to start celebrating women's day in the near future so as to attract positive results for women affirmative action and emancipation.
"There's what we call reversed discrimination or affirmative action to accelerate women's growth, women have been so deprived throughout history. So we are here to remind ourselves that practically men should be celebrating women, women's day should be celebrated by men not women. So next time you celebrate women's day invite your husbands, Uncles and male counterparts because they hold the knife and the yam. We value you all women". Otu explained.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Weyinmi Eribo, challenged women entrepreneurs to migrate from survival to building mode by accessing financial institutions which tailor financial products for women, offer collateral free or reasonable collateral option loans as well as bridge the gaps that seems to stifle women led businesses announcing that the position of women in leadership is non negotiable, "although, it will not be handed to us on a platter of gold."
She advised women to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the existence of a global digital institution which allows free digital trading across Africa called African Continental Free Trade Agreement, (AFCFT) and think outside the box.
"It is time, we stop asking for permission to lead from bedrooms to government offices and from global trade negotiations to investment committees. Women voices must be heard, respected and amplified. We must own our businesses, build industries and shape economic policies which affect us," Eribo admonished.
In a paper titled, 'Managing your money for good debts, Aisha Aminu, Director General Katsina state Enterprise Development Agency (KASEFA), lamented that most businesses suffer due to lack of financial knowledge to manage them pointing out that regular record keeping, proper self discipline, formalized business as well as legalised documents can help transform a business growth and achieve excellence.
"As women, mastering financial literacy can help us make better informed decisions to avoid unnecessary debts.. Women need to formalize their businesses as one of the easiest ways to access sustainable financing." Aisha advised.
Hannah Arikpo, Beagle News
