The Aziza Development Foundation organized a crucial business and financial literacy conference in Laniba, Balogun, and Sode area in the Oyo State’s Akinyle Local Government Area in a coordinated effort to promote economic empowerment for females.
The event’s meticulous planning and execution aimed to give adult mini and micro-entrepreneurs the necessary knowledge and abilities to navigate the complex waters of business ownership and facilitate them with quick access to soft loans.
A subscription training was conducted at the beginning of the program to gather the information of all the attendees in collaboration with BudgIT delegate Mr. Ademuyiwa Adéyemi.
Welcoming the guests, the Executive Director and creator of The Aziza Development Foundation, Mrs. Funmi Okubanjo, reiterated the organization’s unwavering determination to uplifting people and fortifying their financial position.
She continued, adding that she was inspired by Mrs. Toyin Adéyemi’s earlier independence initiatives, which have been helping women in Laniba with small businesses to get grants, and that she is the beneficiary of the foundation, which she founded from Radiance Features in 2021, after a large number of women were victims of funding scams by casual institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic time.
She added that the foundation’s success rate has been further demonstrated by the statement that it has worked and trained over 300 people between 2021 and 2023, and that it has even facilitated financing in terms of micro money, including a bit of give for more than 40 women to start or grow their businesses. It is stated that from 2021 to 2023, it has served over seven local government areas mostly in the Southwestern region of Nigeria.
The Aziza Development Foundation, in her opinion, faces the greatest challenge of all-time changing the mindset of women who don’t think outside the lines of politics or receive support from their elected officials. She also acknowledged the fact that private organizations like the Aziza Development Foundation are only there to support its members and not to enrich their own pockets.
The Executive Director praised the contributions made by BudgiIT to the program and praised Mr. Adéyemi’s commitment to educating the women on how to keep federal officials responsible and accountable. He also called on the government to create a conducive environment for business to flourish.
Topics taught included bookkeeping, traditional contribution popularly known as ‘Ajo’, the right type of savings account to open as well as insurance, and pension scheme.
Mr. Ademuyiwa from Budgit enlightened the women on holding government officials accountable for necessary community development projects while addressing his audience. He further advised them to find a way to put a check and balance system in place for public office holders, adding that the health issue should be given the top priority.