The Managing Director /CEO of the Oceanic bank, Cecilia Ibru and former President, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Mrs. Mercy T. Iyortyer, were at the weekend presented with the award of the women entrepreneur of the year.

The award was presented to the recipients by the University of Mkar, Mkar, Benue state, for their benevolent services and contributions to promoting entrepreneurship among the Nigerian womenfolk.

The Vice President of the institution, Mkar, Prof. Nancy N. Agbe, at a 3 day International Workshop on Promoting Entrepreneurship Education among Nigerian Women with the theme, "Issues and Approaches", presented the award.

Agbe said Mrs. Mercy Iyortyer was chosen for her qualities such as dedication, hardwork, commitment, straight forwardness, intelligence and faithfulness among others.

She described her as a serious minded individual and a women leader who encourages other women to develop themselves. "She has developed herself in her professional career and has also contributed to the development of others within and outside her profession", he said.

This is exemplified by the fact that she has offered her services in various professional and non-professional capacities such as member, Executive Council of Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, President of Women Association of Quantity Surveyors of Nigeria (WAQSN), Chairman Research and Development-Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria", she said.

In her acceptance speech, Iyortyer said: "We are happy to be recognized as successful entrepreneurs and to be awarded. The award signifies that success does not come on a platter of gold but as a result of serious hardwork, self development, knowledge and skills acquisition, balancing of work and family affairs which is importantly for women.

"I sincerely hope I will be able to register the kind of achievement I have read in papers concerning Oceanic Bank, which recorded a turnover in the last financial year of over N115billion and a profit before tax of N52billion. May this award I am receiving along with her open the way for such billions in my businesses".

The Benue state born entrepreneur pledged her support for the university as she said "we are confident that this great citadel of learning will continue to fulfill its role in promoting education and learning as well as moulding people of good character to propagate the ideals of a good society.

The workshop has come at the right time when the Federal and State governments, the Civil Society Organizations and the Private Sector are bent on eradicating poverty in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as President Yar'adua's Seven Point Agenda.