The Ondo State chapter of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has called on the Ondo State Micro Credit Agency to prioritise women-owned businesses, particularly those seeking financial support to expand their enterprises.
The call was made when the association paid a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Chairman of the Ondo State Micro Credit Agency, Olori Oyinkansola Aroloye, at her office on Monday.
Leading the delegation, the Chairperson of NAWOJ, Comrade Tola Gbadamosi (JP), congratulated Aroloye on her appointment and commended Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for giving women greater opportunities to contribute to the development of the state.
Gbadamosi said the appointment of Aroloye was a welcome development, describing it as a case of “putting the right peg in the right hole.”
She said the visit was also aimed at assuring the new chairman of the readiness of NAWOJ to support her administration and contribute positively to the success of her new assignment.
The NAWOJ Chairperson appealed to the agency to consider supporting women across the state, especially members of the association who are engaged in small and medium-scale businesses and require financial assistance to expand their enterprises.
According to her, empowering women has a multiplier effect on society, as it would help reduce unemployment, improve household income and strengthen families.
Gbadamosi also appealed for special consideration for widows, particularly those struggling to meet their financial obligations and provide for their families.
She stressed that supporting such women would not only improve their livelihoods but also give them the opportunity to become financially independent and contribute meaningfully to society.
Responding, Aroloye expressed delight at the visit, saying the era when women were restricted to domestic responsibilities was over.
She urged women to empower themselves by acquiring skills and engaging in viable businesses, noting that the current economic realities require families to have multiple sources of income.
Aroloye encouraged women to have “a second address” by developing sustainable businesses that could complement their family income.
She assured the delegation that the agency was prepared to support women engaged in legitimate businesses, adding that interested women should form recognised associations through which they could access loans and grants provided by the agency.
The chairman also disclosed that the agency would consider supporting the wives of journalists who died in the line of duty.
She urged NAWOJ to organise the affected widows into an association that could be recognised by the agency, assuring them that such a structure would enable them to benefit from available grants and loan schemes to develop their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
In her response, the NAWOJ Chairperson assured Aroloye of the association’s support, saying women journalists would continue to use the power of the pen to promote the programmes and initiatives of the agency under her leadership.
She expressed optimism that the collaboration would strengthen efforts to empower women and improve the economic wellbeing of families across Ondo State.
Also present at the meeting were the Director of Finance and Administration of the agency, The Special Adviser to the Chairman, Mr Olabanji Issac. Mr Wale Alonge; the Chief Accountant, Princess Olowolaye Temidayo; and Omo’ba Temitope Adedeji.
