The Islamic Counselling Initiative of Nigeria (ICIN), a non-governmental organization (NGO), is making significant strides in empowering women entrepreneurs in conflict-ridden communities of Plateau State on financial literacy skills.

The Executive Director of ICIN, Mrs Fatima Suleiman, disclosed this at a two-day interface for beneficiaries of its Advocacy and Alliance Building Project, funded by Urgent Action Fund, Africa.

Suleiman said that the project, conceived to empower women to improve their livelihoods, started six months ago, following findings on lack of documentation by women in their small scale businesses.

She said that the project was also aimed at encouraging women to adopt digital marketing.

The executive director explained that the project was targeting 50 rural women, including those with disabilities, within the age of 20 to 45, in some conflict communities in the state.

“The main theme of the project is to encourage women in digital marketing to promote their small businesses, to promote social inclusion and peace education,” she said.

Suleiman noted that the interface with beneficiaries was to understand the issues affecting their businesses, and enlighten them on opportunities in accessing capital from financial institutions.

According to her, the meeting will also sensitise them on their economic rights, including gender and social inclusion.

Speaking at the meeting, Mrs Roselyn Dang, the Head of Vocational Skills Development at the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), stressed the need for women to set long-term goals in their businesses.

In her presentation on Record Keeping and Cash Flow Management, Dang said that entrepreneurs should be determined to work toward their goals by investing in their businesses.

“You must be passionate about your business, separate wants from needs, and be prudent in handling your resources,” she advised.

She urged the entrepreneurs to continuously update their knowledge in their chosen businesses in order to be relevant in the sector, saying “Information is power”’.

The NDE official also advised the beneficiaries to manage their resources in a way that they would able to service the needs of their businesses.

Speaking on behalf the beneficiaries, Mrs Aminatu Yusuf, a caterer from Jos North Local Government Area (LGA), thanked ICIN for the meeting, saying that it had enlightened them on the importance of savings and having a separate account for business.

The presentations at the meeting included financial planning and budgeting, banking and financial environment, Record Keeping and Cash flow Management, among others.

NAN reports that the 25 beneficiaries at the meeting were drawn from conflict communities in Bassa, Jos North, Jos South and Jos East LGAs.