Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago has expressed delight with the activities of the Nigeria For Women Project, Niger State; a World Bank initiative.
The Governor made this known in Abuja when he received some products as samples produced by the Women groups.
Governor Umaru Bago who described the project as one of the best initiatives of the World Bank in Nigeria, said it has empowered over 72,000 women through their cooperatives.
“This is one of the best initiatives of the World Bank in Nigeria, it has given economic independence to women, it has brought about the realization of cooperatives and we have over 72,000 women in cooperatives here in Niger state due to the project”, he said.
He said the products produced by the women are of good quality, and assured that the State government will partner with the Nigeria For Women Project to scale up the number of beneficiaries and also provide better ways of processing the rice by the World Bank plan.
“We are just in 3 local government areas now, we intend to expand it to cover the 25 local government areas of Niger state”, he stated.
The Senior Social Development Specialist and the Task team leader of the Nigeria For Women Project, Michael Ilesanmi explained that the project is a flagship women’s economic empowerment programme aimed at helping women to engage in Agricultural activities to stand economically.
The initiative also assists women to have easy access to finance and markets as well as address issues of scale and quality.
Michael assured that with more support from the present administration in the State, especially those processing rice, 48 tonnes of rice can be processed daily.
The project is currently operational in Gurara, Wushishi and Agaie local governments with each representing the three zones of the State.
Items presented were bags of rice, vegetable oil, palm oil and Shea butter produced by Women Cooperatives in Gurara and Agaie local government areas of Niger State.
Bologi Ibrahim
Chief Press Secretary
to the Governor of Niger State
13/12/2023.
