NIWEX 2022 HOLDS BUSINESS CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION, HONOURS KOALI, AKOSILE, EXPORT COUNCIL, OTHERS ®™√ INN Nigeria ©

The Nigerian International Women Entrepreneur Exhibition (NIWEX) is a NAWORG Annual Trade Fair that started in 2010 at Abuja and was subsequently organised in Lagos and Ogun state.

An exhibition conceived out of the need to create a platform for networking amongst NAWORG women aimed at enhancing both local and international business relationships.

Held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium Alausa, Ikeja Lagos, the 2022 edition runs from 20th-23rd October 2022 playing host to NAWORG in almost all the 36 States of the Federation including Abuja.

Collaborating with the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce Industry and Cooperative, culminating other partners; Nigeria Bottling Company Plc, Women Radio WFM 97.1 (Voice of Women) and United Bank For Africa etc, the event created avenues for easy movement of goods and services within women to further strengthen her workability within neighbouring countries.

With the theme, Encouraging Women in Agriculture and Made in Nigeria Products for Economic Growth, Hajia Aisha Abubakar, National Chairperson and former minister of state, trade and investment set the ball rolling by welcoming interested women into the chain.

According to her, NAWORG is considered the voice for businesswomen in Nigeria.

Hajia Abubakar disclosed to the enthusiastic women that NAWORG has been granted the right to establish the Women’s chamber of commerce and industry, the news brought a standing ovation in commendation of the women’s group’s strife.

The Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives (MCIC), Hon. (Dr.) Mrs Lola Akande, described the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture (NACCIMA) Business Women Group (NAWORG) as a worthy partner as both works together to support women entrepreneurs and promote locally made goods at this year’s Nigerian International Women Entrepreneur Exhibition (NIWEX).

According to the Commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Adetutu Ososanya, the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu supported the exhibition because of the platform it provides for women entrepreneurs in the MSME sector by opening opportunities for them to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of Lagos State in particular and Nigeria in general.

The event also spotlighted the UBA Day Workshop with free training on Skill acquisition and free medical Check Up.

The National Deputy Chairperson, Mrs Funmilayo Ade-Ojo, Highlighted how encouraging women in Agriculture and Made-In-Nigeria Products for Economic Growth is key to nation-building.

She further explained that in actualizing the National economic policy on Non-oil export and food Sufficiency, promoting women-oriented ventures is paramount.

Guest Speaker, Chief Kola Akosile, Immediate Past President of Ekiti Chambers of Commerce (EKICCIMA) and the South-West Regional Chamber of Commerce, Odua Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agric (ODUACCIMA), Commending the women initiative for organising the event, said that the program is meant to spearhead agricultural growth touching on women’s input.

In his speech, “Women provide more than 70% of its workforce in the agricultural sector and their contributions must be given the values that they possess” He continued.

“Nigeria has thrived in the past with agriculture before oil was discovered. And it has been ascertained that Women constitute 50 per cent of the economy”.

“But with such an importance, women are not positioned in the value chain of the system. They lack access to credits, they are not in the well-structured institutional market”.

Chief Akosile further stated that women must be oriented about the value of the market to enable them to grow more effectively.

“They should give leverage to present more infusions to the market and granted access to finance backings”.

“Another important fact is that women must endeavour to patronise themselves. Promoting joint ventures among themselves to grow and prevent self-exclusion” Chief Akosile asserted.

Mrs Stella Akande, the NAWORG State coordinator, disclosed to members of the press that the group has three Regional Coordinators, state coordinators and their excos.

Expanding the various committees on Advocacy, Finance, Membership, Export, Agriculture, Mining, Hospitality and Trade Fair/Exhibition compliment the structure of the group’s framework.

Briefing them on the significance of the group, she explained, “Our economy can grow more through the promotion of locally made goods by its people first before export comes into play”.

“With the percentage of women involved, it is imminent that we’re given more platform to undertake agricultural practices which NAWORG is advocating for”.

“We are endorsing women business-owned brands which to steer and uplift our numerous industries” Mrs Akande added.

With exhibition occurring within and outside the auditorium, the high point of the program Presentation of Plaques and the Award of Certificates was bestowed on Mr Olusola Badiou, Ms Ruth Abisola Olusanya Kaoli, Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture (Lagos State), chief Kola Akosile, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Women Radio WFM 91.7, United bank of Africa (UBA), Nigerian bottling company Plc and others.

In her goodwill message, Honourable commissioner for Agriculture, Lagos State, Ms Abisola Ruth Olusanya congratulated the Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Business Women Group for successfully organising the 2022 Nigerian International Women Entrepreneur Exhibition (NIWEX).

The commissioner, ably represented by Mrs Funmi Bello asserted that with women constituting about 70% of the workforce in the Agricultural sector, their contributions are extremely significant and rare.

She continued, “Women are involved in diverse procedures of the Agricultural value chain to ensure that food production, processing and even marketing is made easy thereby ensuring sustainable delivery of food in the country”.

“As Agriculture is an important engine for growth and poverty reduction, the sector seems to be underperforming because women in urban and rural economy face constraint that reduces economic productivity”.

“Although women are indeed filling important positions in the sector, there is still massive visibility in the Agricultural Index gap that spreads across the State and the country at large”.

The commissioner used the medium to encourage women to intensify their efforts in promoting Agricultural production through made-in-Nigeria products as inscribed in the year’s theme, ‘encouraging women in Agriculture and made-in-Nigeria products for economic growth.

She further stated that the Lagos State Government is committed to easing the challenges faced by women in the agricultural sector by giving priority to women in all its projects and initiatives.

“The Ministry ensures that at least 40% of beneficiaries in any project are women and also programs be targeted at training women in off-season activities for revenue generation”.

“We will continue to encourage active participation of women in the Agricultural sector” She concluded.

Other guests in attendance include; Mr Samuel Ogbodu, CEO of Sunu Assurance, Mrs Olabisi A Williams Northern Coordinator, Mrs funmilayo Oduaye, Representing LCCI women group, Alhaji M.A Afolabi representing ICCI, Mrs Kehinde Adelaja, Mrs Alaba Lawson, Mrs Patricia Idiakhoa, Mrs Comfort Bello, Mrs Biola Olusola, Mrs Hellen Tabunor Ogedegbe, Lagos state sub-committee Chair-Person NACCIMA, delegates from Coca-Cola, UBA, NBC Plc, Women Radio FM etc.