..says Micro Credit Agency ’ll open loan, grant opportunities to women

The newly appointed Chairman of the Ondo State Micro Credit Agency, Olori Oyinkansola Aroloye, has assured women entrepreneurs in the state of the agency’s readiness to provide them with loans and grants to expand their businesses.

Aroloye gave the assurance when the Ondo State chapter of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) paid her a courtesy visit in her office on Monday.

The visit, according to the Chairperson of NAWOJ, Mrs Tola Gbademosi, was to congratulate Aroloye on her appointment and appreciate Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for appointing women to positions of responsibility.

Gbadamosi described Aroloye’s appointment as a welcome development, saying the governor had “put the right peg in the right hole.”

She said the association was ready to support Aroloye in her new assignment and urged her to consider providing financial assistance to women, particularly NAWOJ members engaged in private businesses who require funds to expand their enterprises.

According to her, empowering women economically would help reduce unemployment and contribute to building a better society, noting that women also play significant roles in supporting their families.

Gbadamosi also appealed to the agency to extend its support to widows who, she said, were struggling to meet their financial obligations and cope with other challenges.

Gbadamosi appealed for special consideration for the wives of deceased journalists, saying many of them were facing financial difficulties.

Responding, Aroloye expressed delight at receiving the women journalists, noting that the era when women’s responsibilities were restricted to the kitchen and household chores was over.

She encouraged women to have “second address”, by engaging in businesses and acquire additional means of livelihood to cope with the current economic realities.

She assured women entrepreneurs that the agency was prepared to assist them, advising them to form recognised associations through which they could access available loans and grants.

The chairman also promised that the agency would support widows of journalists who died in the line of duty.

She urged the affected women to form an association through which they could benefit from grants and loans to establish or expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

Also present at the meeting were the Director of Finance and Administration of the agency, Mr Wale Alonge; the Chief Accountant, Princess Olowolaye Temidayo; and the Special Adviser to the Chairman, Mr Olabanji Isacc.