The wife of the Niger State governor, Dr. Amina Sani Bello, has empowered over 1000 women from 18 local government areas in the state with cheques donations worth over N12 million as grants.
Disbursing the grant to the beneficiaries yesterday in Minna, Dr. Sani-Bello said she hoped the grant will reposition their businesses and make them better than the position they currently find themselves.
According to Bello, 60 women cooperatives with membership of about 15 to 20 women from 18 local government areas will get about N200,000 to N300,000 to improve their businesses, adding that the other local government areas will be captured in the next programme.
The governor’s wife stated that the grant disbursement, which is the maiden edition from her NGO, is aimed at complementing government’s effort in fighting poverty and empowering women and youths in the state.
She also expressed her determination at reducing maternal mortality rate in the state, lamenting that Niger State have the highest mortality rate in North-Central Nigeria, adding that her NGO is working at ensuring free treatment and medication for women in the state.
Bello urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the opportunity and not use the money for trivial things.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Roseline Abara, commended the governor’s wife and advised the beneficiaries to judiciously utilise the money given to them as there will be proper monitoring and supervision.
She, however, urged women to form and or join cooperative societies because it will easily pave the way for support from the government and organisations.
The state coordinator, Niger State FADAMA Coordination Office, Engineer Aliyu Usman Kutigi, said that now is the time that all hands need to be on deck nationally to tackle the issue of unemployment and creation of wealth particularly for women and youths.
He commended the effort of the governor’s wife at not only empowering the women but giving them the finances to enable them, while calling on other NGOs, institutions and organisations in the state to partner in the noble venture of job creation of youths and women to minimise youth restiveness in the state and the nation.
Kutigi assured the governor’s wife of his agency’s continuous support, to enable her achieve her goal and objectives of her foundation.
The beneficiaries in turn appreciated the grant and promised to give back to the foundation to enable other people benefit.