The Nasarawa State Government has empowered 150 women drawn from across the 13 local government areas of the state, with N20, 000 each, as start-up grant to enable them become self-reliant.
The women, who recently participated in a skills acquisition training in areas such as production of hand sanitizer, soap, perfume, bread making, cake baking, pomade and other various skills, are expected to set up their own businesses and to become employers of labour.
Disbursing the grants at a colourful ceremony at the Late Aliyu Akwe Doma Banquet Hall, on Tuesday, Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, said he chose to personally participate in the event because of the need to encourage the participants to become employers of labour.
While announcing that the state government is empowering each of the trainees with N10000 to begin their own business, Engineer Sule made a commitment to personally give another N10000 to each of the beneficiaries, with a view to making the capital reasonable.
“I believe strongly that it’s necessary for our women to understand that it’s not only to empower you with this little money, but to make you also employers of labour,” the Governor said.
The Governor equally donated a bag of semovita each to the women.
Engineer Sule used the opportunity to reiterate the resolve of his administration to prioritize empowerment of women and youth in order to make them active players in the economic development of the state.
According to the Governor, empowering the women is also another way of cushioning the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the people of the state, thereby urging the beneficiaries to make good use of the grant at their disposal.
Some of the beneficiaries have already began to demonstrate their learnt skills as they displayed some of their products for all to see.
Engineer Sule also commended facilitator for the training, B-Innovation Integrated Limited, for collaborating with the state government in impacting basic skills for empowerment of women in the state, with a view to eradicating poverty, creating wealth and employment generation for the socioeconomic development.
Earlier, State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Halima Ahmadu Jabiru, while highlighting the benefits of the skills acquisition training for the women, commended the Governor for his support and commitment towards the welfare of women.
Dignitaries that witnessed the event include, the Nasarawa State First Lady, Hajiya Silifat Abdullahi Sule, members of the state executive council, Special Advisers, as well as the Secretary to the Nasarawa State Government.
