Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, has flagged-off the disbursement of grant for rural women in Azare town of Bauchi state.
The disbursement according to the minister was to target poor women with federal government grants aimed at empowering them to boost their petty businesses.
Mrs Farouq who made this known in Azare town of Bauchi state on Thursday during the flag-off ceremony of the disbursement, noted that each beneficiary will go home with N20,000 to kick start a business.
Represented by the Deputy Director humanitarian affairs of the ministry, Dr. Abubakar Suleiman, the minister said the grant has been disbursed in many states of the federation.
She said that the grant is targeted at over 150,000 rural women across the federation in line with the federal government’s move to bring 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by 2030.
“A grant of N20,000.00 will be disbursed to over 150,000 poor rural women across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory”, Farouq noted.
Mrs Farouq said the grant is expected to increase access to financial capital required for economic activities.
“It is design to provide a one-off grant to some of the poorest and most vulnerable women in rural Nigeria”, the minister explained.
She hoped that the beneficiaries of the grant will make good use of the opportunity to increase their income, enhance their food security, and generally contribute towards improving their living standard.
The minister who commended Governor Bala Muhammed of Bauchi State for his laudable achievements, expressed optimism that the target beneficiaries will be on their way out of poverty to prosperity.
Alhaji Umar Farouq II, Emir of Katagum in his remarks, commended the minister for launching the disbursement of the grant in Katagum emirate.
The Emir who was represented by Aliyu Husaini, Makaman Katagum urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the funds.
Hajara Mohammed, one of the beneficiaries, who spoke with WikkiTimes after receiving the N20,000 grant, pledged to make good use of the money to establish her business.
Hajara, a mother of four said the grant will consolidate her business and help her pay her children’s school fees.
