In a significant initiative to strengthen local economies, the Cross River State Microfinance Agency (MEDA) recently convened with Fr. Emmanuel Bekomson, Director of Justice Development and Peace/Caritas and founder of the Inspiro Charity Foundation, Catholic Archdiocese of Calabar. The meeting aimed to explore potential collaboration between MEDA and Inspiro Charity Foundation, focusing on empowering vulnerable communities and supporting women-led businesses. Great Ogban, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of MEDA, led the delegation and outlined plans for the mapping and empowerment of table businesses across the state, with Ekorinim identified as the flagship area. He emphasized the vital role of women in nation-building, highlighting that many local businesses are predominantly woman-led. Nissi Ibiang, Coordinator of the Women in Neighborhood Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Development (WO-NEED) initiative, elaborated on WO-NEED’s mission to empower women-owned businesses to drive economic growth. She announced a forthcoming comprehensive data collection exercise aimed at ensuring a systematic and impactful approach statewide. Fr. Bekomson expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with MEDA in this mission to empower women, reaffirming Inspiro Charity Foundation’s commitment to achieving meaningful outcomes for these essential businesses. He also shared the foundation’s extensive history of supporting widows, orphans, street children, and other disadvantaged groups in Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, and Bakassi, all aimed at enhancing livelihoods and fostering hope for the future.
