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In a remarkable initiative aimed at fostering economic empowerment among women, Lady Chinyere Zimako, the CEO of Zimako Oil and Gas Limited, has announced that the Chybee Entrepreneurship Foundation for Women has awarded grants to businesswomen across Delta State. Speaking at a press event in Asaba, Zimako shared her deep passion for supporting women who work tirelessly to uplift their families. As an entrepreneur herself, she founded the Chybee Entrepreneurship Foundation to provide women with the resources and encouragement they need to succeed in business.
Zimako revealed that her inspiration to establish the foundation came from a famous speech by John F. Kennedy, where he urged people to consider what they could do for their country. This powerful message, she explained, planted the seeds for her vision to create a platform that empowers women entrepreneurs. The foundation’s mission is to support women and girls with promising business ideas or existing enterprises, helping them to grow their businesses, achieve financial stability, and, in turn, support their families while contributing to national economic growth.
To date, the foundation has disbursed over four million naira in grants to 45 women and girls in its first two editions. “We are preparing for our third edition, where we aim to support 50 more individuals,” Zimako announced. She highlighted the foundation’s ambitious goal of empowering one million women and girls across Africa, a monumental task that requires scaling up efforts and sourcing for additional partners, sponsors, and collaborations.
Zimako emphasized that the foundation ensures that the grants are used effectively by conducting field visits and offering business growth training to beneficiaries. Initially, each grant recipient received 100,000 naira, but given the challenging economic conditions in the country, the foundation is planning to increase this amount in future editions.
However, despite the significant impact already made, Zimako admitted that the foundation currently operates without external sponsorship or partnerships. “My Oil and Gas company has been the sole financier of this project, but the task of empowering one million women and girls across Africa is too vast for one person alone,” she stated, calling for government support, private sector involvement, and individual contributions to help achieve this ambitious target.
Zimako also offered advice to young women and girls, urging them to be proactive in learning skills and starting businesses as a means to survive and overcome poverty in the current economic climate. “With the way the economy is going, it is essential to stay focused, acquire skills, and engage in productive activities,” she concluded.
The Chybee Entrepreneurship Foundation for Women stands as a beacon of hope and empowerment, providing crucial support to women who are determined to make a difference in their lives and communities.
