By Yunusa Isa, Gombe
In an effort to encourage entrepreneurship and self reliance among women folks in Gombe State, Shalele Ce Enterprises has engaged over 1,000 women particularly housewives under the Ambitious Women initiative on how to take their businesses and products to the world without necessarily having shops or stores.
Speaking during the training, the organizer and chief Executive Officer “Shalele Ce Enterprise Maryam Ibrahim Jalo, said the program is meant to introduce women particularly house wives to multiple business opportunities in digital marketing.
She noted that about 80% of women in Gombe did not take the advantages of the new business direction, assuring to reel out training programs to fully incorporate Gombe State women into online business.
Maryam encouraged women to utilize the new advantage to move their businesses forward. “Many women in Gombe State are afraid of venturing into business, talkless of digital marketing, but with this technology based opportunity, you don’t have to suffer yourself looking for a premises or shop before you get into business. You can start with little capital and prosper. We encourage women to join this movement to facilitate their business, support one another and even secure financial support to boost their businesses”.
She added that “With the Northern culture of men not allowing their wives to intermingle with other men, digital marketing has provided us with a perfect solution, where every woman can sell her products from the comfort of her room”.
A resource person at the training Altine Bello Auwal, said they are taking participants into the nitty gritties of digital marketing ranging from business registration, product design and packaging, advertising and customer relations.
The State Chairman Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises Yusuf Haruna, commended the initiative, noting that women entrepreneurs play a vital role in Nigeria’s economic development.
He encouraged them to take advantage of the small scale business enterprises loan being awarded by the Federal Government up to the tune of five million Naira to support and boost their businesses.
Also speaking the Senior Special Adviser to Gombe State Governor on Small and Medium Enterprises, Alhaji Abdulwahab Sabo, applauded the organisers and reaffirmed the state government’s readiness to support such programmes.
“The government is proud of this initiative and will ensure its integration into our broader plans for youth and women empowerment,” he stated.
One of the participants, Juwairiyyat Muhammad Imam expressed excitement over the programme, describing it as timely and impactful.
She said “This training is ideal for housewives like me. It allows us to balance our domestic duties with business opportunities online”.
The event featured lectures from several business executives and digital experts from across the state who shared their experiences and insights with the participants.