An Entrepreneurship Capacity Building Summit was recently organized by the Office of the Special Adviser to the Delta State Governor on Trade and Export, Chief Shimite Love, in collaboration with Mary Olushoga, founder of the African Women Power Network.
The event took place in Asaba, the Delta State capital, with a focus on empowering local business entrepreneurs.
The summit, themed “EcoAction and Trade Fair Summit 2025”, attracted business owners from across the state, offering them a platform to pitch and showcase their businesses while acquiring skills to support their growth.
The event, held on March 27-28, 2025, saw various government functionaries in attendance, who provided valuable insights on how to thrive in an increasingly competitive business environment.
Chief Shimite Love, Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Export, stated that the summit was designed to prepare Delta State entrepreneurs for both local and international markets.
She emphasized the importance of entrepreneurs being well-equipped to present their products and brands when opportunities arise.
She also revealed that the event was organized in partnership with the African Women Power Network and the United Kingdom Development Agency, with a significant portion of the funding sourced internationally.
Love further noted that the training was intended to enhance the entrepreneurs’ ability to brand their products and services effectively.
She stressed that the summit’s goal was to prepare entrepreneurs for future trade fairs and exhibitions by improving their skills and ensuring that they can maximize opportunities at such events.
In addition, she highlighted the state government’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs, revealing that one billion naira had been allocated to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the state.
Mary Olushoga, founder of the African Women Power Network (AWP), also addressed the attendees, underscoring the vital role of collaboration and partnerships in achieving success.
Olushoga stated that true growth and development cannot be achieved without working together with others, whether individuals or organizations. She expressed her belief that for Nigeria to achieve sustainable development, stronger partnerships are needed across all sectors.
Olushoga further shared that this summit was part of a broader initiative to empower entrepreneurs across Nigeria, with plans to visit other states, including Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, and Adamawa, before concluding in major cities like Lagos and Abuja.
She criticized the focus of many empowerment efforts on Lagos and Abuja, emphasizing the need to extend such initiatives to other parts of the country to ensure that all entrepreneurs have access to the support they need.
While her programs are inclusive of men, women, and youth, Olushoga’s primary focus remains on empowering women, helping them build sustainable businesses that support their families.
Sonny Ekedeyan, the Commissioner for Economic Planning, also addressed the gathering, encouraging the entrepreneurs, particularly women, to embrace self-employment as a pathway to success.
He assured the attendees that the state government would continue to support their businesses, with the state executive council having approved funds aimed at boosting SMEs in the state.
He expressed confidence in the potential of Delta State’s youth, stating that they were full of innovative ideas and needed guidance to take their businesses to greater heights.
Orode Uduaghan, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Community, and Girl Child Development, commended the organizers of the EcoAction and Trade Fair 2025 Summit.
She praised the initiative for equipping entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills needed to manage and sustain their businesses in a competitive market.
