Bagudu Kicks Off N2.7 Billion Empowerment For 58,000 Women

The Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has begun a N2.7 billon empowerment targeting over 58,000 women in the state.

While flagging off the National Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy Dialogue, sub-national road show for the North-West on Friday, the governor said the state has domesticated the multi-billion Naira empowerment programme to support women in the state. 

The event was held at the Presidential Lodge, Birnin Kebbi, under the supervision of the Minister for Women Affairs, Dame Pauline K. Tallen.

Governor Bagudu was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Babale Umar Yauri.

He revealed that the state has also received N3 billion for Kebbi-Cares Social Intervention Scheme with women taking more than half as beneficiaries. 

The governor also commended the efforts of his wife, Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu "for uniting women in Kebbi state as manifested in the women mega rally for APC at Argungu last Saturday as well as enhancing their socio-economic prosperity and healthcare services".

This was contained in a statement signed and issued by the Special Adviser to the governor on Media, Yahaya Sarki.

According to Sarki, the governor further commended the Women Affairs Minister, Tallen for supporting and safeguarding the integrity of womanhood. 

In her remarks, the state's First Lady, Dr Bagudu appreciated the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration and the Minister for implementing projects that impact positively on women in the state.

She added that the state government has laid emphasis on gender equity in governance and politics as demonstrated by incumbent administration for making it possible to have at least a female councillor in all the twenty-one local government councils of the state.

 Also speaking, the Minister, Tallen congratulated the governor and his wife for fulfilling their promise to create and enforce the law on the protection of child’s rights and violence against individuals, including Gender Based Violence (GBV).

She further commended the First Lady for her initiatives in the health sector, supporting women in the state and the country whole. 

Tallen also announced that President Buhari has approved the setting up of high level Advisory Council on empowerment for women and girls in Nigeria to advise government on enhancing the status of women.

She added that the outcome of the recommendations would serve as catalyst for the formulation of the National Women Economic Empowerment policy to be launched by the president this year (2023).