News in Brief:
– Benue State is empowering 27,600 women with grants, microloans, and skills training in fashion design, ICT, and other income-generating fields.
– This initiative aligns with Governor Alia’s development plan and aims to promote women’s self-reliance and improve their families’ well-being.
The Benue State government, under the leadership of Governor Hyacinth Alia, has launched an initiative to empower 27,600 women in the state. This programme offers a combination of financial assistance and skills development to promote self-reliance among women.
Key program elements
- Financial support: The women will receive grants and soft loans from the Bank of Agriculture (BoA) to invest in their businesses. Loan amounts range from ₦100,000 to ₦200,000 per beneficiary.
- Skills training: Prior to receiving the loans, the women will undergo training in various income-generating skills. These skills include fashion and hair design, bead making, cosmetics production, soap and detergent making, and information and communication technologies (ICT).
Rationale and impact
The program aligns with Governor Alia’s Strategic Development Plan and emphasises the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment. Commissioner for Cooperatives and Rural Development, Joy Luga, highlighted the initiative’s potential to improve the living standards of women and their families.
While the initial focus is on women, the program intends to expand and offer similar training and support opportunities for men in the future. The training aims to equip women with the knowledge and skills necessary to utilise the loans effectively and achieve long-term financial stability.
The Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development has expressed its commitment to empowering both women and men in the state, along with a focus on initiatives supporting girls’ education.
