Governments at all levels have been advised to focus on empowernment programmes for indigent women to ensure effective poverty reduction in the society.
Speaking during an event to appreciate loyal beneficiaries of an empowerment loan package of a Non-Governmental Organization in Ilorin, Kwara state, founder of the NGO, Alhaji Yakubu Gobir, said effects of poverty on women are greater in our society.
“Most of our women who are gainfully engaged in one business venture or the other ensure that their homes are catered for and this would in no time reflect on socioeconomic well being of other members of the family which on a larger scale would transform to better society”, he said.
Alhaji Gobir, who is also the Waziri Kasar Hausa, therefore, charged well meaning individuals, government and corporate bodies to assist women in order to alleviate poverty among people
saying that government alone cannot provide jobs to all.
It is recalled that the NGO had in last September flagged off disbursement of N5million interest-free loans to indigent women and widows in the area in line with its laid down vision and mission.
“About 15,000 people registered for the loan, out of which about 500 people benefitted in the first tranche of N5 million. About N15 million has been disbursed so far in other tranches. Automatically, those that have completed payment of N10,000, who we are celebrating today, have qualified for N20,000 loan. Those with N20,000 before can now take N30,000 etc”, he said.
Alhaji Gobir, who was represented at the event by the coordinator of the programme, Hon. Bolujoko George, said that aim of the foundation amongst other things is to alleviate poverty, which he said had become a major issue of concern in both the state and the nation.
“The fund is set aside to provide easy access to interest free micro loans to indigenes of Asa, Ilorin East, Ilorin West and Ilorin South Local Government Areas with the aim of providing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with capital for growth”, he said.
He also said that the money disbursed to the indigent women ranged between N10,000 and N50,000 depending on assessment of needs of beneficiaries, adding that training on basic financial intelligence and entrepreneurship was given to beneficiaries.
Beneficiaries of the N10,000 loan who had paid back were presented with items like yards of Ankara textile material and umbrella, while they are also privileged to take higher loan.
End.
