The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has flagged off the distribution of special cash grant for rural women in Government House, Niger State.
She disclosed that a total number of 4,000 beneficiaries are to benefit from the special cash grant of N20,000 each to uplift the socio-economic status of the rural women in the State.
She told the beneficiaries that the grant is meant to support them economically. It should be utilized positively to provide engaging income generating activities that would improve their security and standard of livelihood in the nation’s economy.
The Minister said the grant is part of the effort of the Federal Government to eradicate poverty and hunger across the country.
Farouq said the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, has the mandate to manage and formulate the implementation of fair focused social inclusion and protection of the programme in Nigeria through NSIP.
“The Ministry seeks to not only cater for the immediate needs of the communities but also develop policies and programmes that address the root causes of socio-economic vulnerabilities by economically empowering communities and building their resilience against vulnerabilities such as food, insecurity and poverty across the 36 States, including the Federal Capital Territory” she added.
Earlier, the Governor of Niger State, His Excellency, Abubakar Sani Bello, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government of Niger State, Ahaji Ibrahim Matani, expressed his gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari’s government through the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs for supporting the State, noting that the State is faced with challenges such as kidnapping, cattle rustling and other insecurity leading to displacement of persons especially women and children.
Governor Bello said NSIP has made very impressive mark through GEEP, NHGSFP and other Social Interventions which have been consistent, resilient and practicable.
“Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many enterprises have gone down, mostly affecting women and children who are now in need of empowerment”, he said.
Niger State Focal Person on NSIP, Hon. Barr. Amina Musa Gu’ar said the beneficiaries are drawn from 25 Local Government Areas of the State which is to create awareness of President Muhammadu Buhari’s continuous effort to uplifting the lives of the poor and the vulnerables.
She urged the rural women to use the funds judiciously to uplift them from poverty and to have a success story to tell in the nearest future.
The Permanent Secretary Women Affairs of the State, Hajia Salamatu Aminu, expressed her gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for the humanitarian gesture and ensuring that women are relieved from the ugly incident of COVID-19 and also to alleviate poverty. She urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the funds.
Adeyemo Felicia
For:Deputy Director (Information)
