Federal Government on Saturday flagged-off the disbursement of N20,000 grant for Rural Women Project and Symbolic Disbursement to no fewer than 3,500 women across Ogun state.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, while flagging off the programme, explained that the women were carefully selected from different rural parts of the state.
Farouq who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali said the initiative is part of the programmes line up for the National Social Investment Programme as a strategy for reducing poverty and enhancing social inclusion.
The minister further said the ministry ” is working tirelessly to address some of the socioeconomic problems that are bedeviling all parts of the country by strengthening the humanitarian-development-peace nexus” adding that the grant is expected to increase income and productive assets of target beneficiaries.
She noted that the grant will generally contribute towards improving their living standard.
The Minister said: “the Grant for Rural Women programme was introduced in 2020 to sustain the social inclusion agenda of President Buhari’s Administration. It is consistent with the President’s now national vision of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years. It is designed to provide a one-off grant to some of the poorest and most vulnerable women in rural and peri-urban areas of the country.
125,000 to benefit nationwide
“A cash grant of N20,000.00 will be disbursed to about 125,000 poor women across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory. Our target in Ogun State is to disburse the grant to about 3,500 beneficiaries across all Local Government Councils.
“We believe with the complementary effort of the State Government, the target beneficiaries will all be adequately covered within the next few days. I am optimistic that with the support and cooperation of Your Excellency and other stakeholders present here, we will remain on track to improving the livelihood of the ordinary Nigerians.
To the beneficiaries, Let me however reiterate that this money belongs to you and you alone. It is meant for you to use in any small business venture you deem fit and that will improve your lives.”
In her remarks, the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele commended the federal government for its efforts in lifting many vulnerable out of poverty.
The deputy governor noted that the state will continue to make available grants and opportunities that will benefit the residents of the state.
She however advised the beneficiaries to invest the grant wisely by using it to set up small businesses.