The Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture Women Group (NAWORG) recently honoured some women entrepreneurs at its awards and celebration ceremony held on Thursday, 13 June in Lagos.
The award recipients were Senator Remi Tinubu;deputy governor Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo; Dr. Olufunso Amosun,;Dame Abimbola Fashola; Mrs. Margaret Orakwusi, and host, Iyalode Alaba Lawson.
The guest of honour and executive director of Eleganza Industries Limited , Chief Mrs. Shade Okoya, urged women to work together to support other women in a bid to thrive and excel together.
The keynote speaker, Professor John Aremu of Covenant University, while speaking on the topic, ‘Women in Business Paradigm Shift: The vista and opportunities’ stated that the ECOWAS Trade Liberation Scheme (ETLS) will encourage women to increase their trade with other countries in the region as well as allow business activities and projects. To be designed from a regional perspective for greater efficiencies and cost- sharing between relevant stakeholders across the region.
He said: “As ETLS allows new players into Nigeria markets, expensive goods are replaced with cheaper goods from other countries within ECOWAS region while manufacturers from outside the community may have to cut their prices to exports to the region. This is good for our women.
“Since each of you has a comparative advantage in different areas of production, ETLS allows you to gain from such specialisation across the region.
“Because ETLS engenders specialization in goods and services in which you have comparative advantage, the initiative will lead you to enjoy economies of scale in your activities.”
He therefore urged governments of ECOWAS members states and the ECOWAS Commission to create the necessary environment for private sector whose primary responsibility is the movement of goods across the borders.
