FG EXTENDS CASH GRANT FOR RURAL WOMEN PROJECT TO ANAMBRA STATE
Reporter : PAMELA IGWE
The Federal Government is to disburse fifty-six million naira to 2,800 (two thousand, eight hundred) poor and vulnerable women in Anambra State under the Grant for Rural Women Project.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Haija Sadiya Umar Farooq, announced this during the commencement of the Programme at Professor Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Center Awka.
The beneficiararies were drawn from the twenty-one Local Government Areas of the state.
The programme, which was introduced in 2020, was aimed at sustaining the social inclusion agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari to lift 100 million citizens out of poverty in 10 years.
Inaugurating the programme, the Minister, Haija Farouq, said the Grant was expected to increase the income and productive assets of the target beneficiaries.
Haija Farouq, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Bashir Nura Alkali, explained that 12 million households had benefited from President Muhammad Buhari administration’s Social Investment Programme in the last five years.
The Minister enjoined the beneficiaries of the programme to judiciously utilitise the opportunity to increase their income and contribute towards improving their living standards.
The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, represented by the Commissioner for Social Welfare, Women and Children’s Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mezue, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for feeling the pulse of the citizens, describing the grant as a supportive intervention.
The Governor said the state would partner Federal Government on programmes that were geared toward uplifting the poor and vulnerable in the society.
Presenting the twenty thousand naira cash grant to the beneficiaries, Governor Obiano advised them not to spend the money frivolously.
Some of the beneficiariea, Mrs. Marrietta Ezechukwu and Angela Nweke promised to use the money wisely.