Ahmed empowers Kwara women with N41m

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has flagged off a N41million empowerment programme for women in the state.

The governor, who made a presentation of N20million cheques to beneficiaries in Ilorin, said his administration had prioritised the informal sector as a major driver of economic activities and the sector through  which the majority of the people earn a living.

He said the balance of N21 million would be released to qualified women in the coming month, adding that the programme was part of his administration’s efforts to enhance the livelihood of women.

“It is designed to assist women who are the majority of the electorate and are in dire need of financial assistance to do business,” he said.

The governor also said that his administration was determined to strengthen the informal sector, which is the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) under which micro-credit funds are disbursed via micro finance banks to qualified cooperative groups.

He said the first set of beneficiaries were drawn from the three senatorial districts of the state, adding that the decision to give women a priority women is borne out of the role they play in shaping the society politically, socially and economically.

“In view of this, this government has put in place various programmes to educate, and empower women and young girls with the tools, resources and skills necessary to build productive lives for the benefit of the society,” he stated.

The governor, who expressed optimism for the repayment, noted that the scheme had recorded a 75 per cent repayment rate, stating that women have greater incentive to utilize the funds prudently and repay on schedule.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr (Mrs) Ayinke Saka, disclosed that the state government under the first phase of the programme, empowered 350 women across the 16 local government areas.