Nigeria’s economic challenges self induced, women empowerment a panacea – Dr. Timehin

A non-governmental organization Hopewell Initiative for National Development (HIND) has charged Nigeria women, on the need to play their roles in forging a resilient citizenry and ensure societal sustenance, at a seminar held in Lagos on Sunday.

Dr. Saheed Timehin the Lead Speaker at the fifth edition of the Biennial Nigeria Muslim Women Seminar, theme: Leveraging on the impact of virtuous women for economic stability in Nigeria, organized by HIND gave the charge, while stating unequivocally that women as moulders of destiny ought not shy away from their responsibility of grooming well rounded individuals.

The revered scholar-Timehin, dealt decisively with the theme of the seminar, he said that the problems of poverty and insecurity ravaging Nigeria is self induced.
Commending the HIND founder Hajia Biliquees Aiyepola, for the unique and lofty values intentionally instilled in the women, Timehin declared that the prevailing socio-economic problems the nation is grappling with requires bold steps to tackle.

He tasked Muslim women to exude good virtues at all times even as they make their homes a success breeding ground.

According to Dr. Timehin a lecturer at Lagos State University (LASU), women as home makers need play a lead role in ensuring well rounded development of the children in their formative years, adding that it will later translate into a better society for all.

“The society gives back in multiple folds, whatever we give to it, we as Nigerians especially in the Southwest need not experience poverty and insecurity, if we have not jettisoned our agelong values of hard work and dignity in labour.

“As women you are the real moulders of our world, the children pick up values for life either good or bad from you and these goes a long way to determine who they become in future. So, we need guide it jealously.”

Engineer Nurudeen Baale who chaired the event and the chairperson Alhaja Aminat Olusi wife to the Lagos Island Local Government Executive Chairman Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi, jointly harped on the importance of women and the need for them to take active part in politics, so as to help rejig the economy of the nation right from their homes.

Engineer Baale stressed the fact that Muslim women are yet to maximize the various opportunities availed by the state government.

“Take advantage of the available loans and grants given by the state government, Muslim Women are lagging behind in leveraging on the programs rolled out by government, Christians are benefitting more than us.

Describing the forum as an eye-opening session for women across the divide owing to the hands-on techniques and networking opportunities afforded, Engineer Baale task them to make good use of it.

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Alhaja Olusi in a chat with newsmen echoed the importance of being self reliant, leveraging on the low hanging fruits of opportunities that women can use to scale up their micro economy.

She cited her own experience in rabbit rearing, a home front Agric business, she started with two rabbits but now a proud farmer of eighteen healthy rabbits.

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The Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Hon. Bolaji Roberts cited the goodness of ensuring women economic growth, he added that a deliberate empowerment of women will translate to a better society.

Hon. Dada who was represented by Mr. Olusegun Moruff was quick to cite the accruable benefits that available for women in the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu government, while urging them to use the opportunities wisely.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Hon. Bolaji Dada was also represented at the forum.

Earlier in her welcome address HIND Founder Hajia Biliquees Aiyepola, stated the one of the set goals of the organization is to reach 10,000 women by the year 2026, through the facilitation of HIND’s movement across the 57 LGAs and LCDAs of the state by the appropriate ministries as well as the establishment of skill acquisition centre for girls and women.
According to her this will enable them learn useful skills.

Alhaja Muslimat Oladejo in her goodwill message task women to latch on the opportunities availed at the seminar. While citing the importance of virtuous women in every home.

She emphasized the need for the parents to carry their wards along in daily godly routines like observation of prayer time and ensuring they comport themselves well in the society.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Deputy Commander Narcotics (DCR) Mrs. Chinyerem Eziaghighala in her presentation-Curbing drug and substance abuse, urged women to be deliberate about discouraging their wards from indiscriminate use of drugs.

She counselled women not to ignore the red flags of substance abuse; while exposing them to the new trend of unwholesome mixture of substance and the dire consequences it attracts for those consuming it.

Prince Shuaib Abubakar of FATE Foundation an Agric Business Trainer one of the resource persons at the seminar, harped on the importance of homestead farming, encouraged participants to farm in their backyards.

He urged them to adopt new techniques of planting in sacks and plastic containers while adding that none availability of land must not hamper the women from farming.

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“Nigerians ought not be a part of those that will protest on food shortage and hunger, especially in the southwest, we have vast arable lands and yet we do nothing here. In Mile 12 market farm produce sale per day worth 25bn naira and 95 percent of it comes from the north.

“The good use of our arable lands, ensured our food security in times past.

“Back in the days our women take active parts in agriculture and this is still evident in other parts of Africa, but nowadays our crave for white collar jobs is making us subservient to those who did not abandon the act of cultivation.

Alhaji Azeez Olawale Azeez Regional Business Executive of The Alternative Bank, Lagos was also on hand to give some tips about the technical know how of finance and uniqueness of Islamic banking, which emphasize interest free loan and involvement in business that are devoid of fraudulent tendencies and drivers of social vices.