“My major take home was knowing how to choose a business name….” Mrs. Onyedilefu

May 6, 2020

On May 2, 2020, CSAAE trained young ‘bread-winner-moms’ from across Nigeria impacted by covid-19 on new business strategies during and beyond covid-19. The youth-focused non-profit organized the training as part of its business development activities for the Centre’s Young Mompreneurs Initiative (YOMI). YOMI

helps young “bread-winner-moms” especially those in the rural areas to initiate and grow business enterprises to sustaintheir families and create opportunities that help others sustain themselves.

In his opening remarks, Rev. Fr. Dr. Godswill Agbagwa, the founder of CSAAE, who called in from Maryland, U.S.A, noted that the Centre is investing so much in YOMI because he believes that when you train a woman, you train a nation. “Women are always passionate about everything they do. They can go the extra mile to invest in anything they believe will be profitable to them and their families,” he said. According to him, this year, the Centre has set a goal to move atleast 1000 “bread-winner-moms” in Imo state out of poverty through YOMI by helping them develop profitable small and medium scale businesses to sustain their families.

In her welcome speech, the Centre’s Career Building and Entrepreneurship Program Manager, Mrs. Ifeoma Oronsaye reminded participants that the Small and Medium Enterprise sector is powering the economy and offering a lot in the area of market demand. She regretted that these SME businesses have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic as most of these SME women make their living from daily income generated from their businesses. It is in response to this sad situation that CSAAE decided to hold a Business Webinar for Mompreneurs, to teach them New Business Strategies that can be employed to remain in business, rather than complain and go out of business because of the pandemic.

The training was anchored by Mr. James Elekwachi, a U.K. trained Making Market Work for the Poor master trainer at the Chevron Partnership Initiative for the Niger Delta and Mr. Samson Okolinta, the CEO of Programmatic Economic, Financial and Accounting Solutions. The business webinar class shared insights on the following:

5 major questions to ask before starting a new business;
Innovative ways to run a business;
Things to consider when branding your business;
New business opportunities for Covid-19 pandemic

Participants were very satisfied and thanked God for the opportunity to grow their businesses. One of the mompreneurs, Mrs. Chinoso Maduagwu from Arochukwu LGA in Abia State had this to say about the training: “I am definitely starting a business after this webinar. This webinar has inspired my mind on how to turn my skills into a business. Thank you CSAAE for putting up this program. I will like to be linked to a Business Development Expert to develop a business plan for my business.

For Mrs. Okogeri Chinenye, a mother of 4 from Okada LGA in Edo State: “It was great hearing those main points needed to start a business and what to do to expand it. Honestly am inspired with a lot of ideas I didn’t know since I started a business. I will like to be in touch with a business coach to guide me in my baking business.

Mrs. Udonna Onyedilefu, a mother of two children in Owerri West said that her “major take home is knowing how to choose a business name and questions to ask myself before starting a business.” “I was greatly inspired even though I didn’t get to interact much. I hope to maximize the YOMI follow up class.” She said.

Beyond the webinar, YOMI offers a variety of business development services to mompreneurs including:

Business management training
Technical skills training
One-on-one business coaching
Onsite support and monitoring
Access to loan/grants
Linkage to large buyers (potential customers)
Access to credit facilities and government benefits for cooperative
Business plan development, business registration with CAC and setting up of business accounts.
Linkage to Savings and investment opportunities