Widows and other vulnerable groups in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital have said they will dedicate some part of the Ramadan fasting to pray for the success of Governor Ibrahim Geidam in steering the affairs of the state.
They stated this at the launching and distribution of items and loans to the women by the Governor under the Women Economic Empowerment Programme
While speaking at the occasion, Governor Ibrahim Geidam said that government was moved by the circumstance and situation widows and other vulnerable group found themselves.
He added that it was equally informed by the need to cushion the hardship of citizens particularly during this period of the year when the cost of food stuff was beyond the reach of the ordinary man.
Governor Geidam said the price of a bag of grain in the open market cost N8,000.00 and many widows and other vulnerable groups in the state could not afford it.
He said government decided to cut the price by 50 percent to enable the poor widows and other citizens have at least a bag for their family.
He said the launching of the sales of grain would go along way in cushioning the effect of high cost of food stuffs in the open market especially in the period of the Ramadan fast, adding that assorted grains such as millet, sorghum, cowpea and rice among others were procured at prices higher than the prevailing market prices and stored for sales to members of the general public at subsidized rates at a time of short fall.
“These would not only cushion the effect of the high cost of food stuff but also stabilize market prices as well as check the exploitative tendencies of the middle men.
“It is my belief that an enduring poverty eradication programme must be anchored on the people so that they will come less dependent on the priviledged few and the government for the provision of most of their basic needs. This also conforms with our resolve and focus on teaching our people, ‘how to fish rather than making them depend on fish handout’,” Governor Geidam stated.
He also noted that, countries all over the world had acknowledged the logic that no full development could be attained without utilizing the potentials of the women population that constitute the substantial fraction of the people.
He stressing that Yobe is blessed with enterprising women population which in spite of socio-cultural inhibitions, coupled with limitations of poverty had made a lot of contributions to the economic and political development of the society.
He therefore, said that government would continue to empower women, particularly widows and other vulnerable group in areas of poverty alleviation peculiar to environment, education and health, and further encourage them to participate in all activities that do not violate the tenets of religion, norms and culture of the state.
Also speaking, the commissioner for women Affairs in Yobe state, Hajiya Asma’u Kabir Kolo disclosed that, 2,710 women and other vulnerable groups, who are the beneficiaries of the loans and other materials were identified and selected from the 178 wards across the 17 local government areas of the state.
According to the commissioner, since the inception of the Geidam administration in Yobe State, special focus had been given to women towards improving their standard, particularly widows and other vulnerable groups amongst them.
She revealed that the materials included: 500 sewing machines, 100 mini grinding machines, 50 deep freezers, 50 sets of beads making materials to 1,300 women, some of whom have already undergone training in these trades under the Women Development Centres across the state, adding that, the skill acquisition materials cost government about N27 million.
She said to encourage women in agricultural activities for improved food security for sustainable development, government had approved N42 million for poultry farming and ruminant breeding.
“A total of 260 women would benefit from a soft loan of N100, 000.00 each to start up poultry production, while 400 women will benefit from a soft loan of N40, 000.00 each for ruminant breeding.” She said.
The commissioner also said about 850 widows and other vulnerable groups would be supported with a loan of N30, 000.00 each to launch themselves into useful business.
A widow Mrs. Ahmadu said since the inception of the Geidam administration, women have been given a sense of direction.
According to her, a poor widow has no hope of what tomorrow holds for her, adding that she was surprised when someone asked her if she wanted some loan from government to start business.
“I know that, some of the widows have got some loan from government in the past and are doing very well today. I don’t have anybody to turn to, but there was always this assurance that, someday I could have some money to go into business. When, I was told that the commissioner for women affairs is organizing widows for the SURE-P programme, I wished I could be invited, but then I have nobody to speak for me.
“However, a good Samaritan in our neigbourhood came by and asked me if I would like to have loan from government to start business. I told him that I would appreciate it, but how? And he said ‘don’t worry I would handle it.’ He took my name and that was how I came to be part of those who are blessed today.”
Amina said she was among widows to receive N100, 000.00 each from the government, as well as other materials to start up their own business.
She also told DailyPost that she had been into tailoring and the money given to her would go a long way in helping her to expand and also launch herself into other businesses.
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