By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The First Lady of Borno State, Dr Falmata Zulum, on Friday, celebrated the International Women’s Day by distributing N150m cash and food items to 3,000 vulnerable women.
The International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.
This year’s (2024) theme, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”, aims for gender equality and the well-being of women in all aspects of life.
Some of the beneficiaries
Each of about 3,000 beneficiaries selected across the 27 Local Government Areas of Borno received N50,000 cash, one bag of rice, one carton of macaroni and a gallon of 5 litres of cooking oil.
“I am humbled and very excited today that 3,000 women pitched from all the 27 Local Government Areas of Borno State will be empowered with N50,000 each, a bag of 25kg rice, a carton of macaroni and a gallon of 5 litres of cooking oil,” Dr Falmata Zulum said.
.. Zulum assures Borno women of increased access to livelihood
Meanwhile, Governor Zulum has assured the women in the state of his administration’s commitment to providing accessible livelihood sources to make them self-reliant as well as contribute to the economic development of the state.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum giving his remarks during the event to mark International Women’s Day
He said the Borno State Government would prioritise engaging women to learn vocational skills to enhance their livelihood.
“Let me assure you that my administration will continue to extend support to the women. We would, in addition to the five mega vocational institutes, provide more opportunities for women to engage in vocational education so that they can be self-reliant rather than receive handouts,” Zulum stated.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum and his wife, Dr Falmata Zulum
He added, “What we are planning is not always to give rice and cash to our women, but empower you to stand on your own.”
“In this part of the world, women’s development is key. Most of our women in the last ten years suffered unimaginable hardship. The terrorists destroyed their belongings, their husbands were killed, and they were traumatised. Therefore, women need to earn their livelihood by themselves,” Zulum said.
The Governor who promised to strengthen girl child education, congratulate Borno women on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
“We will prioritise the girl child’s education because education is the bedrock for any meaningful development,” Zulum assured.
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