From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
The wife of Jigawa State Governor, Hajiya Amina Umar Namadi, has commended the Jigawa Women Entrepreneurs Network (JIWEN) and Jigawa Invest for organizing the first-ever women’s trade fair in the state.
Hajiya Amina gave the commendation during the opening ceremony of the three-day trade fair held at the Malam Aminu Kano Triangle in Dutse, the state capital.
She noted that the initiative aligns with Governor Malam Umar Namadi’s 12-point agenda, particularly in supporting small-scale businesses and empowering women to achieve self-reliance.
She emphasized the crucial role of women in addressing socio-economic challenges, linking the rise in the number of out-of-school children in the state to low household income and inadequate support for women.
She stated, “With just a little support for businesses, a woman can take care of her entire family.” The governor’s wife further pledged her willingness to collaborate with any women’s group working to reduce the number of out-of-school children in Jigawa State.
The Coordinator of JIWEN, Nuriya Haruna Bako, explained that the trade fair was part of activities marking the Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Organized in partnership with Jigawa Invest and in collaboration with the Nigerian Women Chamber of Commerce (Jigawa State Chapter), the Nigerian Women in Agricultural Business Cooperative Society Ltd. (NiWAB), Dutse Womenpreneurs Wings (DWPW), Jigawa Entrepreneurs Initiative, and Food Expo Dutse, the event brought together women entrepreneurs from across the state.
Bako disclosed that over 70 registered women’s business groups participated in the fair, which aimed to promote and empower women entrepreneurs in Jigawa State.
She added, “JIWEN organized this trade fair to ensure that Jigawa women entrepreneurs thrive and excel at state, national, and global levels while building a women-friendly entrepreneurial ecosystem in the state.”
She also extended her gratitude to Jigawa Invest, the Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI), the Dutse Local Government Chairman, and Her Excellency, Hajiya Amina, for their support in making the event a success.