Rural Entrepreneurship: Agency empowers 200 women, youths in FCT

The Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA) on Monday reaffirmed its commitment to building the capacity of rural communities as a strategy to achieve its mandate of empowering women and youth in the FCT.

Malam Shehu Abdulkadir, Acting Director-General of the agency, gave this assurance in Abuja during the opening ceremony of the Rural Skills Acquisition and Awareness Initiative (RuSASI) training for 200 women and youth.

Abdulkadir said the training was designed to build the capacity of rural communities to produce basic health items such as hand sanitizers, liquid soaps and antiseptics.

He said the training was part of the agency’s support to the population and was to serve as a way to fight the coronavirus while helping beneficiaries become economically self-sufficient.

He said the program would encourage micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in rural communities to realize their full potential.

Abdulkadir said the initiative was structured to facilitate the acquisition of skills in sectors such as confectionery, disinfectants, organic fertilizers and others.

“We will also develop their entrepreneurial skills in areas such as accounting, savings culture, customer relations, marketing and sales, among other modules, to effectively start and run your business.

“No less than 200 women and young people will be trained and further supported with starter kits to start their business.

“You will be interested to note that this edition of RuSASI is being expanded to include the AMAC, Kwali, Kuje and Abaji regional councils.

“This program is expected to run consecutively for four weeks in the aforementioned locations. “

Abdulkadir, however, urged all participants to take the training with the utmost importance, noting that an assessment would be conducted to determine which participants would be supported with starter kits and grants.

“There will also be a business pitch where participants will demonstrate their business acumen and the viability of their ideas. We aim to develop world-class business leaders. ”

Ms Aisha Babangida, chairperson of Better Life for African Rural Women program, an NGO, said the organization was committed to the overall development of rural women.

Babangida, who was represented by Mr Shem Ayegba, director of operations, said the group was proud of the rural skills acquisition and awareness initiative.

She promised that the group would continue to reach out to ensure the continued success of the program.

In addition, the chairman of the Abuja City Council (AMAC), Alhaji Adamu Candido, urged the FCT administration to continue strengthening the Abuja corporate agency to fulfil its mandate. (NAA)

(NAN)