Over 300 women benefit from Edo governor’s wife’s office micro-business grants

The Coordinator, office of the First Lady,Edo State Government, Mrs Edesili Okpebholo, says empowering women through micro-business grants will strengthen families, promote economic independence and boost prosperity across Edo State communities.

Okpebholo stated this on Monday in Benin while addressing beneficiaries at an empowerment programme, theme “Micro Business Empowerment: Empowering Women, Strengthening Families, Building a Prosperous Edo.”

She said the programme was designed to support women, strengthen their businesses and create greater economic opportunities for families across the state, particularly beneficiaries from Edo Central and Edo North.

According to her, the initiative reflects Okpebholo’s commitment to improving citizens’ welfare through economic empowerment, inclusive development and direct support that promotes self-reliance and productivity among the people.

She noted that women across Edo were engaged in trading, agriculture, food processing, fashion, catering, petty businesses, crafts and other enterprises, but many required modest financial support for growth.

The coordinator urged beneficiaries to regard the grants as seed capital, advising them to invest wisely in their businesses by increasing stock, improving services, acquiring tools or expanding their customer base.

She also encouraged beneficiaries to maintain financial discipline by keeping proper business records, separating business capital from personal expenses, reinvesting profits and continuously acquiring knowledge to improve their enterprises.

Okpebholo urged successful beneficiaries to always observe rest after their daily routine and go for regular medical check-ups, saying that they needed to be alive for their families.

Mrs Vivian Amoen, the Zonal Head of Business (ZHOB), South-South 1 Zone, LAPO Microfinance Bank Ltd., advised beneficiaries to make use of the grant to earn profits rather than investing it in material things that would fade away in due course.

Amoen urged them to cultivate the habit of saving gradually for their children’s education, saying that education was the best form of retirement benefit.

“When you invest in your children, you won’t suffer in old age. Don’t chase material things or engage in wasteful ventures. Ensure you don’t eat up your seed; invest it in your business,” she said.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the end of the programme commended the Coordinator, Office of the Edo Governor’s Wife, for the kind gesture, saying that the grants would go a long way in improving their businesses.

One of the beneficiaries from Egor, Mrs Philomena Olonton, thanked her benefactor for empowering Edo women with money and foodstuff, adding that the grant would go a long way in improving her provision business.

Mrs Tina Ehigiator, a beneficiary from Ovia North Local Government Area of Edo, thanked her benefactor for the empowerment, saying that she would invest the money in her farming business.

Another beneficiary from Ovia South West Local Government Area, Mrs Gift Osaretin, prayed that sickness and pains would not come near her benefactor for giving them the grants.