By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
The Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, on Sunday, empowered no fewer than 120 female traders in Lokoja Local Government Area of the state with cash support to boost their businesses.
The empowerment programme which held in Lokoja Local Government Area Multipurpose Hall, was aimed at boosting economic sustainability of low income traders, basically women who are into petty trading.
The beneficiaries, who were selected across the major markets in all the communities across the LG, were given a cash grant of N50,000 each to push up their businesses and sustain economic growth of their families.
Speaking during the programme on Sunday, Hajiya Kaka Atairu, one of the beneficiaries, thanked the benefactors for thinking towards humanity and for providing solutions to economic sustainability of poor homes.
She said, “The idea of this empowerment programme is to support our businesses, so that we can do better and support our families. The value of empowerment is not in the amount of money given, but in the effort and dedication you invest in growing your resources and becoming successful.
In his opening remarks, Chairman of the disbursement committee, Alhaji Yaba Abubakar, said, “We know that most of you are petty traders, but if you apply the funds we are giving you now to your business and apply due diligence, you will excel. You can also build a relationship with the people who supply goods to you, such that they can be giving you on the condition that you will sell and pay to them. If you are honest, they will trust you and you can use the opportunity to expand your business.
“This empowerment complements the state government’s ongoing efforts in human capital development.
“We urge you to capitalise on these opportunities provided to also boost your businesses.”
Speaking, the co-chairman, Abdulraman Yusuf Wali, underscored the importance of the empowerment, stating that its long-term impacts will take so many homes out of poverty, and boost the economic sustainability index of the local government and the state in general.
He urged the beneficiaries to build on the support and see it as a push to financial independence and economic stability.
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