Empowering the North: Jigawa First Lady Reiterates Call on Women to Embrace Entrepreneurship

In a passionate reaffirmation of her long-standing advocacy for women’s empowerment, the Wife of the Jigawa State Governor, Hajiya Amina Umar Namadi, has once again urged women in Northern Nigeria to embrace entrepreneurship as a practical pathway to self-reliance, poverty eradication and inclusive economic growth.

Time Express recalled that during an event sometime in November this year ,The First Lady while addressing participants at the Arewa Festival, organised by Tripoint Academy under the leadership of Hajiya Shuhda and held in Dutse, appeal to women to embrace entrepreneur and become self reliant.

The festival served not only as a celebration of Northern culture but also as a forum for ideas, innovation and dialogue on the economic advancement of women.

Recalling her consistent message to women across the state and the region, Hajiya Namadi stressed that entrepreneurship remains one of the most effective tools for empowering women and strengthening families.

During the event the first lady was Represented by her Special Assistant, Hajiya Maryam Muhammad, she said women must move beyond dependency and take advantage of the opportunities already provided by government policies and programmes.

She pointed to the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Jigawa State’s 12-Point Agenda as frameworks deliberately designed to open doors for women, particularly through grants, empowerment schemes and business support initiatives.

According to her, these interventions are meant to help women translate their ideas, skills and passions into viable enterprises.

Hajiya Namadi reiterated that there is no shortage of business opportunities within Northern communities. From agriculture, food processing and fashion to crafts, services and emerging modern enterprises, she noted that women are strategically positioned to succeed if they are willing to take bold steps.

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“There are opportunities everywhere around us,” she recalled urging women. “Both traditional and modern businesses can thrive in our communities if women seize them with determination and commitment.”

She femphasised that when women are economically empowered, the benefits extend beyond individual households to the wider society.

Self-reliant women, she said, are better equipped to support their families, educate their children and contribute meaningfully to community and national development.