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Micro credit Sustainability and Poverty-Reduction Projects

REPORT OF THE SECOND PHASE SEMINAR HELD AT

SANDGROUSE MARKET, LAGOS ISLAND, NIGERIA.













  some participants at the Sandgrouse Seminar pose
       for photograph with members of WODIA

Topic :  “How and Where to Obtain Small  Loans and Medium scale
Loans for Personal and Business Development”.

Venue : Health Centre, Sandgrouse Market, Lagos Island, Lagos
Time : 12 Noon

Date : Saturday, March 8, 2008- International Women’s Day

Participating Organizations : -Gapbridge Microfinance Bank Limited,  
                                      Lagos Nigeria-Sole Participating    
                                      Organization (Financial)

                              -  Consolidated Hallmark Insurance PLC.
                                  Lagos Nigeria

1.1. CONTRIBUTORS WERE :
-        Chief (Mrs.) Olufunmilayo Egbeoluwa, Chairman, Women Development    
International Association (WODIA)
-        Mr. Peter Ayasi and Mr. Yemi Euba, representatives of Gapbridge
Microfinance Bank Limited
-        Mr. Tony Ugorji, representative of Consolidated Hallmark Insurance PLC.
-        Mr. Wasiu Adeniji, liaison Officer for Sandgrouse Market
-        Alhaja Falilat Shittu, The Iyaloja of Sandgrouse Market
(Women  Market Leader)
-        Mr. Williams, the Chairman, Community Development Association

1.2. ATTENDANCE:

They included representatives of :

-       Sandgrouse Market Women and Men
-        Lagos Island Local Government Area (East)
-        National Council of Women Societies
-         Lagos Island Local Government Area (West)
-        Unemployed Youths
-        Housewives
-        Single Girls, Divorced Ladies and Widows
-        ETI –Osa Local Government Area

1.3. PRESENTATIONS

1.3.1   INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATIONS
The day started with a lot of fun fare that marked the celebration of International
Women’s Day. Songs in praise of women as major agents of human reproduction
and care givers rented the air. Dancing and appreciation of motherhood was at
Play .The Chairperson, Chief (Mrs.) Olufunmilayo Egbeoluwa welcomed all to the
gathering and analyzed the significance of International Women’s Day as a Day
to Appreciate and give Women the deserved honour for being great mothers
of the nation.

She went further to inform that the motive of organizing the seminar was to
afford the marginalized people especially women have access to financial
support which they have been denied by the traditional banks due to lack of
required collaterals. The Chairman said that the grassroots mostly women
should seize the advantage of obtaining soft loans with affordable collaterals
to improve their conditions of life and further called the attention of the
audience to the need to insure all their concerns in case of any problem.

1.3.2. GAPBRIDGE MICROFINANCE BANK LIMITED
The representatives of the company, Mr. Peter Ayasi and Mr. Eub
language to enable the grassroots women that are not literate enjoy
full comprehension of the program.The speakers explained the mission
of their organization as a micro-credit organization always ready to provide
financial assistance with affordable terms to the grassroots. They promised
to strengthen the entrepreneurial capacities of the loan beneficiaries with
relevant management training.

1.3.3. CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC
Mr. Tony Ugorji , representative of  the company at the forum explained
the various insurance packages available and how they could be accessed.
He informed that his organization is a risk-bearer and the society should
place the necessary risks on an insurer.


1.3.4.LIAISON OFFICER FOR SANDGROUSE MARKET
Mr. Wasiu Adeniji, the liaison officer for the project for Sandgrouse Market
appealed to Gapbrigde Microfinance bank to live up to expectations and
take minimum interests on any loan given the people.

1.3.5. WOMEN  LEADER
The Women Leader, Alhaja Falilat Shittu thanked Women Development
International Association (WODIA) for organizing the worthwhile seminar
and expressed the hope that all promises made by all parties involved
would be actualized.

1.3.6 .COMMUNITY LEADER
The Chairman of Community Development Association  Sandgrouse and
Lafiaji areas,Mr. Williams commended WODIA for the initiative and added
that if the community is continuously involved in such programs, poverty
would be reduced significantly.

1.3.7. INTERACTIVE SESSION
The session commenced with most of the participants emphasizing the
need for the Participating Organizations especially Gapbridge Microfinance
Bank Limited to keep in close touch with the traders for continuity of the
business transactions. Two-way communication reigned and attendees
collected the promotional handbills of the Organizations and opened
account en mass with Gapbridge Microfinance Bank Limited.

1.4.0 PUBLICITY :

The story of the first seminar was carried on both the electronic and print
media thus:

Media                                   Date of  Broadcast/Publication
EKO FM/Radio Lagos                 07/3/2008   2-3.00 p.m
EKO FM/Radio Lagos                 08/3/2008    8.00a.m
LTV 8, Lagos State                     08/03/2008 Evening News
LTV 8, Lagos State                     09/03/2008  frequently
EKO FM/Radio Lagos                11/3/2008   6.00p.m 107.5 FM
EKO FM/Radio Lagos                11/3/2008    8.00p.m 89.75 FM
New AGE Newspapers                21/3/2008. Page 29.


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