FG empowers Benue women farmers with N20m, 100 others to expand enterprises

No fewer than 20 women farmers have been empowered with N20 million each to boost their agricultural activities in Benue State.

The federal government has also engaged 100 other Benue women in small-scale businesses with N50,000 each for the purpose of expanding their enterprises and as well presented 400 bags of rice, 10 bags of clothes, 200 wrappers, four grinding machines, and four sewing machines to survivors of gender-based violence.

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, who disclosed this interventions at the Government House, Makurdi, explained that the initiative falls under the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention, which focuses on empowering widows and survivors of gender-based violence in the state.

The minister disclosed that the Federal Government was establishing women economic villages across state capitals to strengthen women’s economic participation, saying the gesture was in compliance with President Bola Tinubu led administration’s commitment to empower women, ensuring their growth both economically and politically.

While expressing gratitude to President Tinubu and the First Lady for their passion for women’s development she also commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for running a women-inclusive government.

Benue State Deputy Governor, Dr. Sam Ode, who represented the Benue State Governor directed the Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to ensure that all local government councils provide land for the 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 programs.

Governor Alia revealed that his administration was already bridging the gap between men and women in governance by appointing many women into strategic positions of authority and appreciated the minister for carrying women along in the programmes of her ministry.

The Benue 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 equally appreciated the First Lady and Hajiya Sulaiman-Ibrahim for their kind gestures towards the Benue woman.