Benue women move to check effects of recession

Ogun monarch urges focus on stable power supply

Wife of the Benue State governor, Dr. Eunice Ortom is organising a women economic summit with a view to reducing the impact of the recession in the country on individuals and families.

Mrs. Ortom who spoke at the International Sheraton Hotel, Makurdi venue of the event yesterday charged women in the state to embark on viable economic activities that would improve earnings and the standard of living of their families.

She maintained that women can play a very cardinal role in mitigating the effects of the recession not just by their numerical strength but by making necessary adjustments in the family budget in such a way that would keep the members going.

“We should all be challenged, including government, corporate bodies and individuals to evolve more creative ways of surviving the difficult times. As a result, women cannot afford to stand behind if they must remain vital productive members of society,” Mrs. Ortom said.

Declaring the summit open, Governor Samuel Ortom acknowledged that for the state to move forward, women must be given the desired support and assured them that out of the N2 billion Bank of Industry loan, 60% of it will be given to women to engage in useful ventures.

Similarly, a monarch in Ogun State, Alaye of Odogbolu, Oba Adedeji Onagoruwa has urged the government at all levels to harness the economic potential of all communities towards national development a away of tackling the recession.

He also admonished the governments to encourage the establishment of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMSEs) “because the economies of advanced countries such as India are built around SMSEs”.

Speaking yesterday at a briefing, organised by the Odogbolu Community Development Council in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the organisation held at his palace in Odogbolu, the monarch reiterated that without stable electricity supply, the efforts at taking the economy out of recession would not yield the desired results, adding that constant electricity supply would facilitate the establishment of SMSEs.

“Without stable electricity supply, hopes of navigating out of the economic recession would be a dream. The federal and state governments should do everything to achieve stable electricity supply which will substantially contribute to taking Nigeria out of recession.