*100 Others Receive N50,000, Items
By Samuel Tyav, Makurdi
No fewer than 20 women farmers have been empowered with N20 million to boost their agricultural activities in Benue State.
Besides, the Federal Government (FG), which handed them the incentive, also gave 100 other Benue women involved in small-scale businesses the sum of N50,000 each to expand their ventures.
FG also presented 400 bags of rice, 10 bags of clothes, 200 ladies’ cloth-wrappers, four grinding machines, and four sewing machines to female victims of gender-based violence (GBV).
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, who disclosed these interventions at Government House, Makurdi, explained that the initiative falls under the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention, which focuses on empowering widows and survivors of GBV.
The Minister disclosed that FG was establishing Women Economic Villages across state capitals to strengthen women’s economic participation, saying the gesture was in compliance with the President Bola Tinubu administration’s commitment to empower women, ensuring their growth both economically and politically.
While expressing gratitude to President Tinubu and the First Lady Remi Tinubu for their passion for women’s development, the Minister also commended Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia for running a women-inclusive government.
State Deputy Governor, Dr. Sam Ode, who represented the Governor, directed the Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to ensure that all Local Government Councils provide land for establishment of the Women Economic Villages and charged Local Government Chairmen to embark on grassroots campaigns to mobilize women to key into the Ministry’s programmes.
Governor Alia revealed that his administration was already bridging the gap between men and women in governance by appointing many women into strategic positions and appreciated the Minister for carrying women along in the programmes of her Ministry.
State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Theresa Odache, reiterated the Ministry’s vision of building a safer, more inclusive, and supportive environment for women, children, and other vulnerable groups.
She appreciated the First Lady and Hajiya Sulaiman-Ibrahim for their kind gestures towards the Benue woman.
PHOTO CAPTION: The Minister (with mic) presenting a cheque to one of the deserving women.
