Women empowerment: Taraba govt disburses N200m grant to affinity groups

Taraba State Government through the Nigeria for women project (NFWP), a World Bank-funded project domicile in the Ministry of Women Affairs on Wednesday, flagged off the disbursement of N200 million naira grant to women affinity groups in the state.

Governor Darius Ishaku while speaking at the occasion at Jolly Nyame stadium Jalingo, expressed that the individual livelihood grant been funded by the World Bank was a deliberate efforts of his administration to empower desirable women to become safe reliance in Taraba.

According to Ishaku, women empowerment was key in the pursue for poverty alleviation considering the women population in the world, and commended the world Bank for finding Taraba state worthy for the project.

Earlier, the state project steering committee chairman and deputy governor of Taraba, Engr. Haruna Mannu, explained that the Nigeria for women project (NFWP) was a World Bank-funded project domicile in the Ministry of Women Affairs, poise to support and improved the livelihood of women, ages from 18 and above in 3 LGAs in each of the six pilot states of Ogun, Niger, Abia, Kebbi, Akwa Ibom, and Taraba through the formation of Women Affinity Groups.

“In Taraba State, the Nigeria for Women Project is targeting a total of 54,000 women in the 3 Implementing LGAs of Zing, Bali and Takum.

“So far, we have a total of 2,166 WAGS consisting of 50,431 women.

“We commend governor Darius Ishaku who has been very supportive especially, in approving a counterpart fund of 200 million Naira which will go a long way in ensuring the success of the programme in the State.

“Today, some of our women from these communities where intervention is set out would be taking home grants to support and improve their livelihoods.

“We wish to request the World Bank to Scale-up this project to have full coverage of intervention in the state”. Mannu acknowledged.

Mr. Michael Gboyega Ilesanmi the World Bank task team leader disclosed at the occasion that Taraba was the second state to produce 2000 wax for the project in the country, and lauded the state government efforts in providing counterpart fund for the success of the project.

Mrs. Ruth Mshelia, the national program coordinator also noted at the occasion that, 11, 562 women affinity groups were able to emerge in the state, making Taraba the highest amongst the six pilot states where the project is been implemented.