Jigawa gov disburses N630m to empower 12,600 rural women

Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi has disbursed N630 million to empower 12,600 rural women across the state.

The governor made this announcement while distributing the empowerment grant of N50,000 to some beneficiaries in Gwari village, Dutse Local Government Area.

“This government has set aside a total sum of N630 million as an empowerment grant for 12,600 rural women across the state,” Governor Namadi stated.

He explained that this initiative is part of his administration’s 12-point agenda aimed at supporting the economic growth of women in Jigawa State.

According to the governor, “51 per cent of the state population of 7.5 million are female, and women appear to be more economically disadvantaged in the state. Therefore, it is very critical and indispensable to empower women to achieve poverty reduction in the state.”

He further highlighted that the current phase of the women’s empowerment programme in Jigawa targets 12,600 women, each receiving a grant of N50,000 to improve or start their own trade or business of choice.

In addition to this initiative, the state has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Bank for women’s empowerment, increasing its counterfunds from N50 million to N500 million.

The government has also injected $4 billion into the Bank of Industry to empower citizens with special and simple packages for women, supplementing the various support programmes provided in the past.

“We are optimistic that, besides poverty eradication, women’s empowerment will help in reducing domestic crises, promoting peace and love within families, and enhancing children’s moral upbringing, which will, in turn, boost public productivity and development in the state,” Governor Namadi added.

The governor urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity to improve their businesses.

In her speech at the occasion, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Hadiza Abdulwahab, explained that a total of 200 women were selected from Gwari Village and nearby communities.

The selection was based on priority needs across the rural communities in the 27 local government areas of the state.

Hajiya Hadiza expressed gratitude on behalf of the women in Jigawa to Governor Namadi for introducing policies and programmes aimed at supporting women to become self-reliant.

ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE