Women have been advised to acquire entrepreneurial skills that would enable them to overcome economic hardship in the country.

President, Princess Debora Foundation (PDF), a non- governmental organisation, Professor Maurice Azubuike Odiete made the call while speaking at the annual Thanksgiving of the foundation which held in Lagos under the theme, “Growth mindset through skills acquisition’’.

Odiete, who is also the president of the Highstone Global University, Texas USA, affirmed that when women are empowered through skills such as hair dressing, soap making, baking , fashion designing, and a host of others, it makes them financially independent.

He frowned at women who were not engaged in any meaningful business, adding, “days are gone when a woman will sit down at home and be waiting for who will give her money. There are lots of skills women can acquire that will enable them to take care of themselves and their children.’’

The annual event, according to him, is held is aimed at putting smiles on the faces of the foundation members, indigent women, and youths in the society.

This year’s event witnessed distribution of food items and cash adding: “the economic situation in the country is becoming unbearable, the food items and cash given to them, no matter how small would cushion the effect of food insecurity facing the country”.

On her part, National Coordinator, Princess Debora Foundation, keyinde Olayinka explained that the foundation which was established some years back aimed to empower widows and the youth in the society through skills acquisition.

Olayinka, therefore, stressed the need for the government to support the non- governmental organisations working on the area of women empowerment.

In her words: “There are many needy women and youths in the society, it would be nice if government at all levels can support NGOs working on women empowerment, such assistance would go a long way in empowering more women .’’

On the other hand, she advised women to shun laziness and acquire more skills and added that such effort would not only make them financially independent, but assist them to contribute to the development of their homes and the nation at large.

Similarly, the Secretary General of Princess Deborah Foundation, Dr. Helen Ede stressed the need for women to have multiple streams of income.

In her words: “for a woman to overcome the present economic crunch facing the country, such woman should be involved in more than one source of income’’

Dr. Matilda Amaechi, who spoke on the vision of the foundation, explained that since the inception of the organisation some years back, it had impacted the lives of the members , widows, and the youths.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the event commended the organisers of the event, adding that the food items and the cash received from the organisers would go a long way in cushioning the effect of the current economic hardship currently facing the country.