NAWOJ Seeks More Awareness On Women, Youth Empowerment Programmes

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has called for intensified public enlightenment on the Federal Government’s women and youth empowerment initiatives to ensure that more Nigerians, particularly women, young people and persons with disabilities, benefit from the programmes.

The Vice President of NAWOJ, Zone D, Mrs. Chizoba Ogbeche, made the call while featuring on Perspectives, a current affairs programme on Kapital FM, Abuja.

The programme examined the topic: “Women and Youth Empowerment Programmes: Experiences of Some Beneficiaries and Those Yet to Benefit.”

Mrs. Ogbeche described the Federal Government’s empowerment initiatives as impactful, noting that they provided many Nigerians with opportunities to acquire vocational skills, improve their livelihoods and become economically independent.

She, however, stressed the need for continuous review and expansion of the programmes to address emerging technological and economic realities.

“The programmes are making positive impact, but there is a need to introduce additional initiatives that will equip women and youths with globally competitive skills required in today’s digital economy,” she said.

She also emphasized that sustained public sensitisation was essential, as many eligible Nigerians were still unaware of available empowerment opportunities.

Also speaking on the programme, a former Chairperson of NAWOJ, FCT Chapter, Princess Joy Idam, commended the Federal Government for prioritising women and youth empowerment through various intervention programmes.

She, however, urged the government to provide increased financial support and post-training assistance to beneficiaries to enable them establish and sustain viable businesses.

“Training alone is not enough. Beneficiaries require adequate funding and continuous support to translate the acquired skills into sustainable means of livelihood and true economic empowerment,” she stated.

Some beneficiaries who shared their experiences acknowledged the positive impact of the initiatives but appealed for additional government support.

Dumebi Anyanwu, who was trained in automobile mechanics, and Temison Jemiriayegbe, a beneficiary of a shoe-making programme, called for the provision of start-up grants, modern working tools and improved access to finance to help them expand their businesses.

A petty trader, Martha Dambo, who is yet to benefit from any empowerment programme, attributed her inability to participate to inadequate information about available opportunities.

She appealed to the government and relevant agencies to intensify awareness campaigns, especially in rural and underserved communities, so that more Nigerians can take advantage of the initiatives.

During the interactive, one of the callers, who identified himself as visually impaired, appealed to governments at all levels to develop inclusive empowerment programmes that adequately accommodate persons with disabilities.

The guests unanimously agreed that sustained implementation, adequate funding, wider public awareness and improved inclusiveness are critical to expanding access to the programmes, reducing unemployment, improving livelihoods and promoting inclusive socio-economic development across the country.

Mon/Risi/Eugene/Uju/Chike