By Onwa Ekor
In a bid to improve the economy, especially at the grassroot, the Cross River Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (MEDA), has synergised with the Director of Justice Development and Peace/Caritas who doubles as founder of the Inspiro Charity Foundation of the Catholic Archdiocese of Calabar, Rev. Fr Emmanuel Bekomson.
The collaboration, aimed at exploring potential between MEDA and Inspiro Charity Foundation, which took place in Calabar, would focus on empowering vulnerable communities and supporting women-led businesses.
Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of MEDA, Great Ogban, who led his team during the visit, rolled out plans for the mapping and empowerment of table businesses across the state.
According to Ogban, Ekorinim area in Calabar Municipality, at the course of the synergy, was identified as the flagship area.
He pointed out the vital roles of women in nation-building, remarking that many local businesses are predominantly handled by women, hence deserves some pat on the back through empowerment, to enable them meet up with the challenging economy.
Coordinator of Women in Neighborhood Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Development (WO-NEED) initiative, Nissi Ibiang, reaffirmed her group’s mission to empower women-owned businesses in order to drive economic growth.
She disclosed that arrangement have been completed for a comprehensive data collection exercise aimed at ensuring a systematic and impactful approach for women across the state.
Fr. Bekomson expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with MEDA to empower women, reaffirming Inspiro Charity Foundation’s commitment to achieving meaningful outcomes for these essential businesses.
He also shared the foundation’s extensive history of supporting widows, orphans, street children and other disadvantaged groups in Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, and Bakassi local government areas of the State.
The Clergy maintained that the efforts were aimed at enhancing livelihoods and fostering hope for the future.
