By: Adelowo Oladipo, Minna
The wife of the Niger State Governor, Hajiya Fatima Mohammed Bago, has launched an economic empowerment programme aimed at supporting widows, petty traders and vulnerable women in parts of the state
The programme, described as a humanitarian initiative, saw 250 women receive N100,000 each as financial support to improve their businesses and livelihoods.
Speaking at the event, Hajiya Fatima Bago explained that the intervention was designed to give hope and support to women struggling to sustain small businesses and care for their families.
She stated further that the gesture was not politically motivated but was purely driven by compassion and the desire to uplift vulnerable members of society.
“It is a joyous moment for us to see those close to us doing well and helping those who are beneath them. They should see this gesture as their own time to receive support,” she said.
According to her, the empowerment programme was initiated to ensure that women engaged in small-scale businesses have a sense of belonging and the opportunity to improve their standard of living.
“This is not because of campaigns or elections. The money is to help the vulnerable. This is the beginning of more good things to come, and they should use the money to improve their livelihoods,” she added.
Hajiya Fatima Bago further explained that the intervention was the pilot phase of a broader empowerment scheme aimed at reaching more women across Niger State.
“This is just out of humanity to reach out to people, especially women doing small businesses, to touch their lives so that everybody will have a sense of belonging. This is the pilot scheme,” she stated.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Hadiza Kuta, said many of the beneficiaries were petty traders operating with small capital ranging from N10,000 to N25,000.
She noted that the financial support would go a long way in strengthening the economic capacity of women and improving the welfare of their families.
“With this gesture, it will go a long way in strengthening the economy through women.
They should use the money judiciously to improve their small businesses and better the lives of their families,” the commissioner said.
Hajiya Hadiza Kuta also disclosed that the government had launched a N2 billion Nigeria for Women Programme second phase aimed at expanding economic opportunities for women in the state.
In a goodwill message, former Special Adviser to the Niger State Governor on Women Affirmative Action, Mary Noel Berje, described the initiative as a demonstration of compassionate and people-oriented leadership.
She said the programme reflected the administration’s commitment to ensuring that no citizen, especially vulnerable women, was neglected in the development process of the state.
Some of the beneficiaries, including Shetu Bisallah, Rashidat Adeyemi, Racheal Ajayi and Nagya Maraym, expressed appreciation to the First Lady for the support, describing the initiative as timely and impactful on their businesses and families.
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