Fatima Bago pledges partnership with women’s platform, backs grassroots empowerment and economic inclusion
By : Chioma Vivian James
The Wife of the Niger State Governor, Hajiya Fatima Mohammed Bago, has formally joined the Business Women of Influence for Renewed Hope Agenda (BWI/RHA), following her decoration as Grand Matron of the Niger State Chapter of the organisation.
The investiture, held in Minna, marked a significant step in strengthening the organisation’s advocacy and empowerment activities across the state, particularly its efforts to promote women’s economic participation, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods.
The decoration was performed by the Niger State Coordinator of BWI/RHA, Mrs Mary Noel Berje, who said Hajiya Fatima Bago earned the recognition because of her demonstrated commitment to women’s development and empowerment in Niger State
Berje explained that BWI/RHA is a platform established by its Director-General and Convener, Dr Ngozi Oyewole, to mobilise, empower and project women entrepreneurs and professionals while promoting and advancing the ideals and vision of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to her, the organisation is committed to creating opportunities that will enable women to strengthen their businesses, develop sustainable livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to socio-economic development.
She disclosed that the Niger State Chapter is currently conducting a Community Skills Census across the 25 Local Government Areas of the state to identify, document and better understand the skills and entrepreneurial capacities of women at the grassroots.
Berje said the exercise would also help the organisation identify areas where women require support, including skills acquisition, access to finance, mentorship, market opportunities and capacity building.
She explained that the initiative was designed to provide reliable information that would guide targeted interventions and connect women with opportunities capable of improving their economic independence
The State Coordinator stressed that empowering women to become economically independent would not only improve individual livelihoods but also strengthen families, communities and the wider economy of Niger State.
Responding, the newly decorated Grand Matron, Hajiya Fatima Mohammed Bago, expressed appreciation to BWI/RHA for finding her worthy of the position.
She pledged her readiness to partner with the organisation and support initiatives aimed at improving the lives and economic prospects of women across Niger State.
The Niger First Lady urged BWI/RHA to focus on programmes capable of delivering meaningful, measurable and sustainable impact, particularly among women at the grassroots.
She emphasised the importance of ensuring that empowerment initiatives translate into practical opportunities through which women can acquire relevant skills, access resources, develop businesses and improve their livelihoods.
Her acceptance of the Grand Matron role is expected to further strengthen collaboration between the Niger State Chapter of BWI/RHA and women-focused initiatives across the state, as the organisation intensifies its grassroots engagement.
With the ongoing Community Skills Census providing a broader picture of women’s skills and entrepreneurial capacities across the 25 local government areas, BWI/RHA is positioning itself to better identify gaps, connect women to opportunities and support programmes that promote greater economic participation.
The partnership also places renewed emphasis on a central objective of the organisation: building a stronger network of women entrepreneurs and professionals while ensuring that women at the grassroots are not left behind in the drive for inclusive development.
E-SIGNED:
Rose Nnatasa Jiya
Media Director, Niger BWI/RHA
