3rd October, 2014
Diamond Woman proposition, an initiative by Diamond Bank PLC aimed at empowering women economically, launched the first edition of its Enterprise Seminar in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, recently.
The seminar, organised in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of the Pan Atlantic University, provides financial and advisory services, access to market opportunities and networking platforms to female entrepreneurs.
Welcoming participants to the event, Aisha Ahmad, Head, Retail Financial Services, Diamond Bank PLC, said that the idea of the Diamond Woman Enterprise Seminar was informed by Diamond Bank’s desire to ensure that Nigerian women are well empowered to join the growing global female economy.
According to her, “Research shows that about 50 per cent of new businesses are set up by women. Realising the unique needs of this key segment of the population, Diamond Bank deemed it necessary to empower them with business management skills and networking opportunities to fulfill their life goals”.
“The Diamond Woman Enterprise Seminar provides a unique capacity building platform to better position our female entrepreneurs as they multitask in their various roles as home makers, career women and business owners,” she noted.
Anna Gincherman, Chief Product Development Officer, Women’s World Banking, a non-profit organisation that provides strategic support, technical assistance and information particularly to women entrepreneurs in developing countries, lauded Diamond Bank’s efforts at bridging the gaps confronting female entrepreneurs.
“Women’s World Banking is proud to be associated with Diamond Bank for providing access to financial services, financial education and knowledge to Nigerian female entrepreneurs. These are the areas where women entrepreneurs are most challenged and Diamond Bank is bridging the gap,” she said.
Nneka Okekearu, Deputy Director of EDC, noted that, “a major problem in women-owned businesses is the non-adherence to a systematic pricing structure, which does not augur well for sustainability”.
She however expressed optimism that the knowledge acquired in the seminar will help the women adopt better practices that will help them make profit and grow their businesses successfully.
The seminar themed: ‘The basics of product pricing-getting it right from the beginning’, had about 400 women entrepreneurs in attendance.