By Maryam Garba Hassan
President Goodluck Jonathan has harped on the need for women empowerment and more involvement of them in the socio-economic development of the country.
He said this will lead to the achievement of maximum progress and development.
Jonathan made the call while receiving an award at the Women Empowerment Leaders Award, a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Lady Mechanic Initiative (LMI).
The President, who spoke through the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, regretted that women and girls have been disillusioned and unable to develop their full potentials due to stereotype in the past.
Commending the initiator of the Lady Mechanic Initiative, Lady Sandra Aguebor Epkeruoh, for creating an entry point for women into a male dominated business, Jonathan said the development shows that women have overcome role of stereotype.
“Let me commend the indefatigable Lady Sandra Aguebor Ekperuoh, NPOM for creating an entry point for women to one of the most lucrative enterprises which hitherto was dominated by men. I salute her courage and resilience considering what she must have gone through within the last ten years in a male dominated profession.”
Earlier in her welcome address, the Founder and Initiator Lady Mechanic Academy, Sandra Aguebor, said the LMI was created to help young women escape the clutches of despair and poverty.
She noted that more than 2,000 young women apply for the programme yearly, regretting however that there is space for only 150 trainees per annum.
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