The Abia State government under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti has reiterated its commitment to economically empower widows, single mothers and indigent citizens in the state.

This was disclosed by the state’s Commissioner for Trade and Commerce Dr. Salome Nkemakolam Obiukwu during the business support training for widows, single mothers, and indigent citizens. Obiukwu said the state government places great interest in the welfare of ordinary citizens, especially vulnerable groups, and places the interest of such group at the forefront of governance.

She spoke further: “This programme is therefore designed to bridge these gaps and restore hope through structured economic support and investor facilitation initiatives.

“Our objective today is clear: To create opportunities that will enable vulnerable women traders to grow from subsistence trading into sustainable entrepreneurship.

“The Abia State government understands that economic empowerment is one of the strongest tools for reducing poverty and promoting dignity. When a woman succeeds in business, an entire family rises. When widows and single mothers are empowered, communities become stronger, safer, and more prosperous.

“This administration is therefore committed to ensuring that no hardworking Abian is left behind in our economic transformation agenda.”

She said the initiative would support the participants in the area of business formalization and registration. According to her, the ministry will continue to support simplified business registration processes and sensitization on the benefits of formalization.

In addition, it will also help beneficiaries have access to finance and cooperative linkages, capacity building and entrepreneurial training, financial management, customer relations, digital commerce, packaging and branding, record keeping, value addition and other things.

The programme was a collaborative effort between Abia State Ministry of Trade and Commerce, the De Tourism World International and the Do Good Foundation for Widows & Needy Inc.

In his keynote presentation, the chief executive of the De Tourism World International, Mr. Solomon Uwakwe, said the training and support intervention has become critical for the widows, single mothers and indigent members of the state. He said: “Indigent members of a society are individuals who lack sufficient financial resources to meet basic living needs such food, clothing, shelter,- healthcare and education. These groups of persons often face social and economic challenges that limit their opportunities for personal development and inclusion in mainstream activities.

“Investment facilitation and business support training becomes necessary to assist this person’s address poverty, ensure access to essential services and promote equitable participation in community life.”

Uwakwe said the investment facilitation and business support training programmes, in collaboration with the Abia State Ministry of Trade and Commerce was to provide free low cadre investment training, micro capital funding opportunities, connection, networking and experience to enable single mothers and widows diversify or start up small businesses to earn income and improve their lives.

He also added: “Programmes like this are therefore crucial initiatives aimed at lifting vulnerable women out of poverty, fostering self-reliance, building self-esteem and reducing their economic dependence on others, helping single mothers and widow traders gain new abilities that allow them to take control of their lives, careers, and opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. They learn new business ideas that could lead to investment partnerships and big businesses at the long run.”

He advised that as poverty eradication remains a very tall dream for mankind to achieve, let all, including governments, leaders, successful entrepreneurs, NGO officials and socioeconomic development enthusiasts keep doing their best to teach, coach and support the less opportuned individuals in the society.

The chief exective of Do Good Foundation Inc., a key partner for the programme, Major Iheanyichukwu Sunday, expressed his happiness with the programme saying such partnership with the government will support businesses and help low cadre traders. He said: “Already we are international but want to spread our tentacles towards the South East as it is said that charity begins at home.”

At the end of the programme, participants were given certificate and supports for business.