The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening partnerships with educational institutions as part of efforts to promote women’s empowerment, skills development and sustainable economic growth across the state.
The pledge was reaffirmed by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Mr Dagogo Wokoma, during a meeting with a delegation from the Robert Gordon University Business School, Aberdeen, on Monday.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Special Services Bureau, Mrs Dede Friday, the SSG commended the Women Entrepreneurs Accelerate Africa initiative, describing it as a timely intervention designed to equip women entrepreneurs with contemporary skills in Artificial Intelligence (AI), financial management and other practical business development competencies.
He noted that the programme would strengthen the knowledge base and entrepreneurial capacity of women, enabling them to expand their businesses, create employment opportunities and contribute more significantly to economic development.
“It is encouraging that this training will expose women to emerging technologies such as AI, strengthen their educational development and improve their business achievements. When we educate a woman, we educate a nation,” he said.
Mr Wokoma emphasised that the Rivers State Government recognises the critical role of skills acquisition and capacity building in advancing women’s economic participation and would continue to collaborate with reputable institutions to support such initiatives.
According to him, empowering women with relevant knowledge and practical skills remains essential to achieving inclusive growth and sustainable development within the state.
Speaking on behalf of the visiting delegation, Associate Professor Poh Yen Ng of Robert Gordon University Business School said the Women Entrepreneurs Accelerate Africa programme was established to address the skills gap affecting women entrepreneurs across the African continent.
She explained that the initiative was developed following extensive research conducted by a team of women researchers, which identified significant deficiencies in entrepreneurial skills among women business owners.
According to Professor Ng, the programme seeks to bridge those gaps by providing participants with practical knowledge, business development tools and access to emerging technologies that can enhance productivity and competitiveness.
“We are here to train women and help close the skills gap so they can grow their businesses and become employers of other women. Through our research, we are giving back to society by using our expertise to empower women,” she said.
Professor Ng also expressed optimism about building stronger institutional collaboration between the Rivers State Government and Robert Gordon University, noting that such partnerships could create lasting opportunities for women entrepreneurs and emerging business leaders.
She further disclosed that the Women Entrepreneurs Accelerate Africa training programme would be implemented in several African cities, including Lagos in Nigeria, Nairobi in Kenya and Pretoria in South Africa.
The initiative is expected to provide participants with training in entrepreneurship, innovation, financial literacy and technology-driven business solutions, with a particular focus on helping women-owned enterprises scale their operations and contribute more effectively to economic development.
The meeting underscored the growing importance of partnerships between governments, academic institutions and development organisations in addressing economic challenges and promoting inclusive opportunities for women across Africa.
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