By Rosemary Okoduwa
The Edo State Government has commenced a three-day capacity building training programme in entrepreneurship and digital marketing for vulnerable women across the state.
The training, organized by the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), is holding at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA), Benin City.
The programme focuses on the Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) initiative and digital marketing, with the aim of equipping participants with practical entrepreneurial and digital skills to enhance their livelihoods and promote self reliance.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Coordinator, Office of the Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Mrs. Betty Okonobo, stressed the importance of empowering women with practical business knowledge and skills.
She noted that economic empowerment for women enhances families and communities, and urged participants to actively engage in the training sessions, learn from facilitators and fellow trainees, and apply the knowledge gained to improve their lives.
In her opening remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah, described the training as a strategic step toward strengthening women’s economic empowerment in Edo State.
She explained that the programme forms part of activities marking the 2026 International Women’s Day, themed “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls.” According to her, the theme underscores the need for collective action to ensure that women and girls enjoy equal rights, protection, and opportunities.
Mrs. Abdallah emphasized that empowering vulnerable women with practical skills and entrepreneurial knowledge remains a priority for the state government.
“This training programme is a practical demonstration of our commitment as a government to empower vulnerable women with the knowledge, skills, and support they need to improve their livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to their families and communities,” she said.
She noted that when women are empowered economically and socially, they become stronger agents of change who contribute to development and stability in society.
The Commissioner added that participants would be exposed to various training sessions designed to enhance their knowledge in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, vocational skills, and personal development.
She encouraged them to take full advantage of the opportunity by actively engaging with facilitators, asking questions, and sharing experiences that would enrich the learning process.
“We expect that the knowledge gained here will not only transform your lives but also inspire you to become role models within your communities,” she added.
Mrs. Abdallah also appreciated development partners, including IOM and GIZ, for their collaboration and continued support toward initiatives aimed at empowering women and promoting inclusive development.
“As we officially declare this training programme open, it is my hope that its outcomes will contribute significantly to building a society where women are empowered, respected, and given equal opportunities to thrive,” she said.
During the training, representatives from Genius Hub, Adesua Amadi-Emma and Destined Omo, delivered presentations on e-commerce marketing, educating participants on how to leverage digital platforms to promote their products and services.
They highlighted practical strategies for increasing product visibility, attracting customers, and expanding businesses by taking advantage of opportunities in the digital marketplace.
Representatives from the Edo State Skills Development Agency (EdoJobs) and the Migrant Resource Centre of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment also facilitated sessions during the training.
Their presentations focused on key areas such as developing an entrepreneurial mindset, business planning essentials, business registration and licensing processes, as well as strategies for understanding and effectively managing customers.The sessions were designed to equip participants with practical knowledge and guidance required to successfully start, formalize, and sustain their businesses.
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