The Gombe State Government has flagged-off the distribution of the Micro-Enterprise Enhancement grants of 10, 000 (ten thousand naira) each to 1,100 women from the 11 local government areas in the state.
Addressing the beneficiaries in Gombe, the Acting Director General of the National Directorate of Employment, NDE, Mr. Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, said the scheme, was a grant targeted at rural women who engage in petty trading.
The Director General, who was represented by the State Director of NDE, Mr. Hassan Mustapha, said the scheme was aimed at boosting their trade and enhancing their livelihood and it will be paid back within one year.
“The little amount to be given to the women, if utilized it is going to actually uplift the women,” Mr. Fikpo said.
He said the mandate of the NDE was to reduce unemployment through programmes like the Micro-Enterprise Enhancement Scheme, which had been facilitated in Gombe State by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya from the NDE headquarters in Abuja.
First round disbursement
On his part, Governor Yahaya said the disbursement was the first round and that the scheme was expected to reach more women in the local government areas.
He urged the beneficiaries to ensure maximum use of the money, while urging women Political officeholders to represent women well by providing them with the necessary schemes to enhance their lives.
On her part, the Commissioner of Women Affairs & Social Development, Mrs. Naomi Awak, urged the beneficiaries to invest wisely so as to make their businesses grow and be impactful.
Mrs. Aishatu Ibrahim, who represented the beneficiaries thanked Governor Yahaya for remembering the women at the grassroots.
Emmanuel Ukoh
