Sokoto Gov’t earmarks N4bn to empower 216,000 women entrepreneurs
From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
Sokoto State Commissioner for Women Affairs Hajiya Hadiza Ahmad Shagari says the state government has earmarked over N4 billion to empower 216,000 women entrepreneurs in the state.
According to her, the intervention will be extended to women in nine out of the 23 local government areas in the state.
Shagari said that the first phase will involve beneficiaries from Gwadabawa, Dange/Shuni and Sokoto South LGAs.
According to her, the funds would be disbursed under the Nigeria-For-Women Programme, a women-only initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which drew funding from federal and Sokoto State Governments as well as the World Bank.
Shagari added that no fewer than 1,200 women groups have been selected from each of the nine participating local governments, while each women group has at least 20 women entrepreneurs.
The Commissioner said that the women would receive business grants to upgrade and modernize their trades.
“This noble gesture is aimed at further reducing poverty and unemployment in the state as well as to boost the economy of the state and Nigeria in general,” she said.
Meanwhile, the ministry will offer skills training for 500 women across the state.
The commissioner said that those selected would receive N25,000 monthly allowance during the training and working tools upon completion.
The training will be in poultry, horticulture, animal husbandry, knitting and sewing, bakery and confectionaries, among others.
Shagari commended Gov. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto and his wife, Dr Fatima Ahmed Aliyu, for their commitment to issues affecting women.
On 2027, Shagari said that majority of women in the state support the governor and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
