In a new development for the business landscape of Rivers State, the forthcoming Women Entrepreneurship (WE) Summit is set to attract over 10,000 buyers and sellers to Port Harcourt. Scheduled for October 26-27, 2024, as part of the Port Harcourt Fashion Experience Festival, this summit aims to empower women entrepreneurs and rejuvenate the fashion industry in the region.
At a recent press briefing, Oby Ivy-Fakae, the Director of Communication for the event, elaborated on the summit’s objectives and its broader festival framework. She emphasized that the summit will focus exclusively on women doing business in Rivers State, with a commitment to supporting their ventures. “It has been found that most struggling businesses belong to women,” Ivy-Fakae stated. “We aim to provide them with free booths to showcase their products and services, helping to level the playing field in a competitive market.”
It is worth noting that the festival will encompass several vibrant phases, including an exhibition, a runway show, and a festival party featuring top musicians and celebrities, particularly from the South-South geopolitical zone. Ivy-Fakae expressed her enthusiasm, noting, “This is not just an event; it’s a celebration of entrepreneurship and creativity in fashion.”
It bears mentioning that the Port Harcourt Fashion Experience Festival is particularly timely, as it seeks to highlight fashion as a vital economic driver outside the oil and gas sector. “Fashion can significantly boost our gross domestic product (GDP), and the Rivers State Government has endorsed the festival, providing us with the prestigious Obi Wali International Conference Centre for the event,” she added.
Boma Ogidigben, the founder of the festival, reflected on the need to reinvigorate the fashion industry in Port Harcourt, which has been dormant since the last significant event in 2013. “We want to reawaken it,” he said, lamenting that the city has lagged behind other regions and countries in embracing its fashion potential.
The WE Summit promises to be a transformative experience for participants. Ogidigben acknowledged that many women entrepreneurs struggle due to a lack of knowledge about navigating the complexities of running a business. “We won’t just provide grants; we will offer counseling and ongoing support to help them thrive,” he assured.
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With an impressive number of women participating in the summit, the event is positioned to be a pivotal moment for female entrepreneurs in Rivers State. Ivy-Fakae highlighted that this initiative aligns with the festival’s mission to showcase Port Harcourt to the world and foster a community of empowered women in business.
It is worth noting that as the countdown to the Port Harcourt Fashion Experience Festival begins, excitement is building among local entrepreneurs and fashion enthusiasts alike.
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