By Prisca Nguzo
Ultraviolet Microfinance Bank Limited has signed partnership agreement with Entrepreneurship Centre for Women Development, ECWD to empower 10, 000 women entrepreneurs in the country.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Bayonle Omoyele, MD/CEO of Ultraviolet Microfinance Bank Limited disclosed that the partnership was aimed at bridging the gap in financial inclusion and economic empowerment of women especially the entrepreneurs among them.
Omoyele expressed his enthusiasm for ECWD efforts towards women development and pledged the bank's continued support especially in the area of entrepreneurship training programme and providing those who have completed ECWD development programmes with access to finance.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the official signing of the partnership documents by the both parties, the bank's Secretary, Barr. Ubaka Gloria said the beneficiaries would leverage on parties’ network, products, services, trainings, researches and operational expertise to help them start and grow their various businesses.
Also speaking, Dr Eunice Emmanuel, the ECWD Executive Director who highlighted the importance of empowering women in agribusiness and other sectors; added that, "one of the benefits of the partnership is the creation of supportive and inclusive environment where women can thrive in entrepreneurship skill and enhance economic growth."
Dr. Emmanuel said, "We shared a strong belief that when you empower a woman, you have empowered a nation. Women are the bedrock of our society and they need all the support and empower to succeed for the overall good of the society.
"However, this partnership was designed for women entrepreneurs but the end benefits would impact generally on other women as it would spur them to meaningful entrepreneurial engagement, economic growth, equity and development."
"This partnership would also avail our women the opportunity especially the beneficiaries to contribute effectively towards enhancing our nation's economic growth, fiscal stability and sustainability as well as help to ameliorate poverty rate, among other socio-economic challenges in the country." she added.
