The governor of Zinder region, Colonel Massalatchi Mahaman Sani, presided over a ceremony on October 23, where two female groupements, Alhéri and Saboua, were presented with awards. The groupements won the innovation and female leadership prizes, respectively, at the International Day of Young Female Entrepreneurs in Niamey. The ceremony took place at the Zinder Governor's office. Colonel Massalatchi Mahaman Sani commended the groupements for their efforts and thanked them for accepting his invitation to present their awards.
The governor emphasized the importance of promoting female entrepreneurship and young girls' leadership. He encouraged the award-winning groupements to continue inspiring other young girls in their communities. Colonel Massalatchi Mahaman Sani stated that entrepreneurship enables young girls to value their skills, increase financial autonomy, and contribute to their families' well-being. He recommended that the laureates continue to gather young girls and raise awareness about Niger's current realities.
Amina Malam Maina, promoter of Waka Agroalimentaire de Zinder and mentor to the young girls, explained that the participants came from Gafati, Yaouri, and Koléram communes. They were selected to represent the Zinder region at a mini-fair organized by UNICEF and the NGO Transforme Niger. The young girls received five-day training on beading, agro-food processing, and female leadership.
The participants presented their projects at the mini-fair, where the Alhéri groupement won the innovation prize and Saboua received the female leadership award. Amina Malam Maina noted that the products made by the young girls attracted visitors, and several items were sold during their stay in Niamey. She highlighted the confidence and ambition displayed by a 16-year-old participant from Koléram commune.
The young participant expressed her desire to hold high-ranking positions in the future, including the post of governor. Amina Malam Maina enthusiastically described the scene where the young girl presented herself before the President of the Consultative Council for Refoundation. The girl showed confidence and ambition, symbolically taking over the president's seat.
Amina Malam Maina emphasized that this attitude demonstrates the self-assurance, ambition, and potential that exist among rural young girls when they receive support and opportunities to express themselves. She highlighted the importance of female leadership in enabling young girls to believe in their abilities and aspire to societal responsibilities.
Each of the two young girls representing their groupements received a reward of 500,000 CFA francs, acknowledging their efforts, creativity, and commitment to promoting female entrepreneurship. The ceremony concluded with a message of encouragement and support for the young girls to continue their initiatives and inspire others in their communities.
Key points
- The Zinder region celebrates two female groupements for winning innovation and leadership awards at the International Day of Young Female Entrepreneurs.
- The governor of Zinder region emphasizes the importance of promoting female entrepreneurship and young girls' leadership.
- The award-winning groupements receive 500,000 CFA francs for their efforts, creativity, and commitment to promoting female entrepreneurship.
