In order to play significant roles in the 21st century global economy that is powered by information and communication technology, ICT, the women folks have been called upon to key into various government’s policies as well as participate in several regional and international bodies initiatives that are geared towards overall improvement in the standard of living and environmental wellbeing.
The call was made by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege on the occasion of the inauguration of the executives of the Nigerian Association of Women Entrepreneurs (NAWE) in Abuja recently.
Delivering the keynote address on the occasion, Omo-Agege noted that against the backdrop of their roles in traditional economic sectors, especially in agriculture, health, education and stability of society, women have been making breakthrough in global economic revolution and regional economies of scale.
According to him, women have taken the centre stage in different spheres of human endeavours, just as he commended them for the various breakthroughs they have made globally as innovators, entrepreneurs, teachers, business women, start-up founders, engineering, digital technology, home-based workers, health sectors, amongst other fields.
Omo-Agege, who represents Delta Central in the Senate, therefore encouraged women entrepreneurs to key into the plethora of initiatives of government through the instrumentality of agencies such as the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), Nigeria Incentive-based risk sharing system for agricultural lending (NIRSAL) Bank, Bank of Industry and African Development Bank and others to address the issue of resource deficit which, in most cases, is responsible for failure of entrepreneurial ventures.
The Deputy Senate President said: “Women in entrepreneurship possess dual characteristics (for instance, they are first women and secondly entrepreneurs). Therefore, women entrepreneurs possess characteristics which include adaptability, innovativeness/creativity, strength and internal locus of control, ability to think and reason fast and endure, managerial skill, accountability and credit risk.
“Factors that motivate women entrepreneurs have been identified to include, dissatisfaction with “glass ceiling” or limits on their earnings and advancement, need to improve quality of life, desire to earn more income, growth and innovation, desire for independence, risk-taking propensity, education, freedom, job flexibility and previous experience.
