The wife of Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, has empowered 1,085 female petty traders in Dunukofia Local Government Area with cash support aimed at boosting their businesses and enhancing economic sustainability.
The empowerment programme, held at Ukpo, the Dunukofia local government headquarters, targeted low-income women traders popularly known as “Ndi afia table” who operate across major markets in the area. Each beneficiary received a cash grant of ₦50,000 to strengthen their businesses and support the financial growth of their families.
Speaking during the event, Dr Soludo expressed gratitude to the benefactors for their humanitarian gesture, emphasizing the programme’s objective to create lasting economic impact. She encouraged the traders to use the funds with diligence and dedication, noting that the true value of empowerment lies in the commitment to grow and sustain their enterprises.
“The amount you have received is not just money; it is an opportunity to build relationships with suppliers and expand your businesses through honesty and hard work.
“This empowerment complements the state government’s broader human capital development efforts, including the employment of over 8,000 teachers, more than 1,000 health workers, digital skills training for over 30,000 youths, and the ‘One Youth, Two Skills’ programme which has already empowered 5,000 youths with a ₦2 billion fund,” she advised.
Dr Soludo stressed that the long-term effects of the programme would lift many households out of poverty, boost economic sustainability in Dunukofia, and contribute to the overall development of Anambra State.
The Chairman of Dunukofia Local Government Area, Honourable Chijioke Ozumba, highlighted that the empowerment aligns with other ongoing local projects such as enrolment in the state health insurance scheme, scholarship awards, and business support initiatives for skilled workers.
He commended Governor Professor Chukwuma Soludo for including Dunukofia prominently in his administration’s development roadmap.
The empowerment programme was generously sponsored by notable sons of the local government area, Prince Arthur Eze and Chief Jim Martin Nwabueze, with the full support of the local government administration.