In view of the identified capacity of female farmers to drive agricultural advancement and economic diversification, the National President, Nigerian Cooperative Women Alliance (NICOWA) Chief Esther Eka, has called for increased involvement of Nigerian women in agribusiness.
She made the call while addressing pressmen at the recently held National Agricultural Exhibition in commemoration of the World Food Day where NICOWA was awarded Best Coordinating Agricultural Group by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in conjunction with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
According to her, NICOWA which is the umbrella body of all women cooperative societies in the country is poised to mobilise women to optimally benefit from agro allied businesses while serving as agents of peace, stability and progress in their communities.
In her words, “This is purely an approval of our commitments to the reduction of poverty among us as it is not easy to build any human network. NICOWA for us is a child of necessity, a platform that gives leverage to Nigerian women. It gladdens my heart that both local and international institutions are concerned about the modest progress we have made so far. These awards are indications that we are on the right track”.
Using the event as a medium, she encouraged Nigerian women to adequately utilize their acquired skills in agribusiness, to influence national development as well as strive for peaceful co-existence by engaging in selfless service and peace fostering activities.