In a bid to foster economic independence among women in Benue State, the Commissioner for Cooperatives and Rural Development, Mrs. Joy Luga, has unveiled plans to provide grants and soft loans to 27,600 women through the Bank of Agriculture (BOA).
This initiative, announced on Monday in Makurdi as part of the 2024 International Women’s Day celebrations, underscores the state government’s commitment to empowering its female populace.
According to Mrs. Luga, Governor Hyacinth Alia has been instrumental in advocating for women’s empowerment initiatives, ensuring that they receive the necessary support to succeed.
The commissioner emphasised the strategic importance of including rural women in the government’s developmental agenda, aligning with the governor’s vision for comprehensive growth and inclusivity.
Expressing gratitude to Governor Alia for allocating funds for this purpose, Mrs. Luga highlighted the ongoing training programs aimed at equipping women with essential skills such as fashion and hair designing, beads making, beauty and cosmetics, soap and detergent production, as well as ICT training.
These skill enhancement efforts are poised to empower women across various sectors, enabling them to become self-reliant and economically empowered.
Upon completion of their training, participants will have access to loans ranging from N100,000 to N200,000, providing them with the necessary capital to kickstart their ventures.
Mrs. Luga emphasised the ministry’s commitment to uplifting women from impoverished conditions, enabling them to achieve a higher standard of living.
Furthermore, Mrs. Luga stressed that the empowerment programs extend beyond women, with opportunities also available for men seeking to improve their socio-economic status.
Emphasising the symbiotic relationship between men and women, she underscored the ministry’s dedication to supporting both genders in their pursuit of economic prosperity.
“We are not leaving men out because you cannot talk of a woman without a man. We are their backbone,” Mrs. Luga affirmed. “After disbursing these funds to women, we will extend our training and support to men across the state, ensuring that they too benefit from our initiatives.”
