Gwagware Foundation based in Katsina, has provided support to 1, 200 indigent persons in 12 local government areas of Katsina State.
Alhaji Kabiru Usman, Chairman of the foundation, said in Daura on Sunday while giving out the items to the beneficiaries that 100 people, comprising 60 women and 40 men, were selected from each of the 12 LGAs.
“A total of 600 women will get either a bag of soya beans or groundnut each. We expect them to utilise it properly to earn a living. Also, each of the 400 men selected would receive N5,000 to add to their businesses,” he said.
Hajiya Binta Yargani, Director Women Empowerment of the foundation, called on the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the donation.
She said the foundation has so far empowered 5,000 people across the 34 local government areas in the state.
In his remarks, Dr Dikko Radda, who set up the foundation, said the gesture was to support government efforts to end poverty and encourage self reliance.
He said that the scope of interventions would be expanded in due course to include other areas of need by communities.
Radda who is the Director General, SMEDAN and holds the traditional title of Gwagwaren Katsina, used the event to canvass support for President Muhammadu Buhari and Gov. Aminu Masari in the forthcoming general elections.
In a message to the event, Masari lauded the foundation for the initiative and called on individuals and corporate bodies to emulate the gesture.
The governor, represented by Katsina State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Abdu Habu, said his administration has in the last three years, offered empowerment skills to 35,000 youths who were provided with take off grant to set up their own businesses.
”We would continue to empower our people in order to achieve self reliance and sustainability,” he said.
Amina Isah, one of the beneficiaries, lauded the foundation for the support, saying it would add value to her life.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the beneficiaries were drawn from Daura, Sandamu, Maiadua, Zango, Baure, Dutsi, Mashi and Ingawa, as well as Bindawa, Kankia, Kusada and Mani local government areas.
