THE Kano State governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has distributed N2 billion micro-revolving loan to over 20,000 young men and women to enable them boost their businesses, just as he warned male beneficiaries not to use the money to acquire wives
Dr. Ganduje said his government embarked on the project in order to uplift the living standard of the people.
Each of the beneficiaries were given cheques ranging between N20,000 and N200,000.
He said: “We are doing this in our quest to uplift the living standard of our teeming populace and to promote entrepreneurship.
“On a day like this, I am reminded of the responsibility that is entrusted on me and my lieutenants, especially as we have made promises and we ought to be held responsible for the fulfillment of those promises.
“The distribution of N2 billion micro-credit to 20,000 qualified beneficiaries across the 44 local government areas of the state is about laying a solid foundation for building micro enterprises into small, medium and large enterprises in our efforts at ensuring sustainable economic development of our dear state.
“It is my pleasure to stand before you, ladies and gentlemen to flag off this project of taking our men and women into the world of real economic activities and entrepreneurship.
“This, we hope, will help our businessmen and women to develop and sustain the culture of creativity, initiative and economic independence.”
The governor also inaugurated a three-man Micro-finance Loan Defaulters’ Court to be manned by three Chief Magistrates for the three senatorial districts.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief Magistrates, Hajiya Miriam Ahmed Sabo, said defaulters would be made to face the wrath of the law no matter how highly placed and assured the governor that they would discharge their duties effectively by recovering the loans.