The Niger State Government has made significant strides in empowering over 75,000 women across the state by approving N1 billion in counterpart funds, on Wednesday.
This approval by State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago serves as a matching grant under the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP), an initiative by the World Bank aimed at improving women’s livelihoods.
Governor Bago’s approval fulfills a promise he made earlier this year during a visit to the Hazaka Women Affinity Group in Tufa Community, Gurara Local Government Area. He had pledged to enhance grassroots development by empowering more women.
The project involves the construction of 41 collective centers, which will function as processing mills for the women registered under various Affinity Groups in the Gurara, Agaie, and Wushishi Local Government Areas.
The distribution of these centers includes 32 for rice processing, 8 for groundnut processing, and 1 for shea butter processing. The progress of construction varies across these centers.
Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Bago, Sadiq Yusuf, and State Project Coordinator for the Nigeria for Women Project, Bello Sarki, have been inspecting the ongoing construction in the benefiting local government areas. Their goal is to ensure the centers are completed before the anticipated launch.
Once completed, these centers are expected to significantly enhance women’s independence, improve their economic status, and contribute to food security in the region.
A press statement from the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Malam Bologi Ibrahim, revealed that Governor Bago has directed the Ministries of Education and Humanitarian Affairs to purchase processed products from these women for use in school feeding programs and other humanitarian services.
“The collaboration between the government and the World Bank aims to unify women, enhance their social and economic viability and independence, support their households, ensure food security, and promote the formation of cooperatives and savings groups among them,” the statement concluded.
