Kwara: Gov Ahmed Flags off N41m Empowerment for Women

By Bisi Adedayo, Ilorin

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has flagged off a N41million empowerment programme for women in the state.

The Governor who made a symbolic presentation of N20 million cheques to beneficiaries at the Banquet Hall, Ilorin, on Tuesday said his administration has prioritized the informal sector being a major driver of economic activities.

According to Ahmed, the informal sector is a key area where majority of the people are making a living.

Ahmed said the remaining balance of N21 million would be released to qualifying women in the coming month, stressing that empowerment was part of his administration’s efforts to enhance women livelihood.

“This empowerment is designed to assist women who are the powerful majority of the electorate and are in dire need of financial assistance to do their businesses”, he added.

According to the Governor, his administration’s resolve was to strengthen the informal sector, which is: the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) under which Micro-Credit Funds are disbursed via micro finance banks to qualifying cooperative groups.

He explained that the first set of beneficiaries were drawn from the three senatorial districts of the state, saying the decision to prioritize women was born out of the role they played in shaping the society politically, socially and economically.

“This government has put in place various programmes to educate and empower women and young girls with the tools, resources and skills necessary to build productive lives for the benefit of the society”.

Ahmed who expressed optimism on the loan repayment, noted that the scheme has recorded a 75 percent repayment rate, adding that women have greater incentive to utilize the funds prudently and repay on schedule.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. (Mrs) Ayinke Saka, disclosed that the State government under the first phase of the programme empowered 350 women across the 16 LGAs.