By Uzair Adam Imam
The program, which was designed to foster economic empowerment and gender equality, was launched on Wednesday in Jigawa State by Blue Sapphire Hub in collaboration with the US Embassy in Abuja as part of its transformative Women on Wednesday (WOW) initiative.
The initiative had made significant strides in Kano and Sokoto states.
It aims to equip women entrepreneurs with essential entrepreneurial and digital skills and also alleviate poverty.
The inaugural cohort in Jigawa State comprised 30 women-led small businesses with limited entrepreneurial and digital skills.
Through a series of workshops, mentoring sessions, and networking opportunities, participants were immersed in a supportive environment designed to enhance their business acumen and market reach.
However, key institutions such as the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and Jaiz Bank collaborated closely with Blue Sapphire Hub to ensure the success of the program.
The participants report increased sales, improved financial management practices, and expanded market opportunities.
The graduation ceremony for the first cohort of WOW 2024 was held on January 25, 2024, with notable dignitaries in attendance, including the Honorable Commissioner of Women’s Affairs, Hajiya Hadiza Abdulwahab, and the Principal Private Secretary to the Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Adamu Muhammad Garun Gabas.
A highlight of the ceremony was the generous pledge of N1.5 million made by Hajiya Hadiza Abdulwahab on behalf of her ministry and the Jigawa State Government to support the businesses of the WOW participants.
The Jigawa State Government has demonstrated unwavering support for the initiative, actively engaging in its implementation and expansion.
The WOW program is not merely a one-time initiative but rather a year-long commitment comprising four cohorts.
This sustained approach promises continued empowerment and growth for women entrepreneurs throughout Jigawa State.