No fewer than 200 women from Nasarawa state will benefit from the Federal Government’s loan scheme under the National Women Empowerment Fund (NAWEF).
Hajiya Salamatu Al-Makura, Wife of Nasarawa State governor, said this would cushion the effects of the economic downturn and provide women with resources to engage in productive small scale businesses.
She made this known on Thursday at the training on Financial Literacy and Loan Management for the first batch of beneficiaries of NAWEF in the state.
Al-Makura represented by Mrs Mary Enwongulu, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, urged the women to utilise the loan for the purpose for which it was meant to improve their standard of living.
“In Nigeria, the current state of the economy and the effects of recession have further worsened their vulnerable condition requiring urgent steps to ameliorate their situation.
“To curb this trend, President Muhammadu Buhari introduced a number of palliative measures including the NAWEF to cushion the effects of the economic downturn.
“And to also provide women with resources to engage in productive small scale businesses and income generating activities to enhance their livelihood and to build up the economy.
“I am happy that women from Nasarawa state who have looked with hope and great expectation for this loan scheme to take off, will finally breathe a sigh of relief, with this training for 200 women from 20 cooperative societies groups short listed by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social development,” she said.
She urged the beneficiaries to take the training with seriousness and to use the skills not only to manage the loan but also acquire basic financial expertise to run their investments.
Mr Anthony Udah of Firm and Resolute Investment Ltd ., in charge of the training also urged the beneficiaries to use the skills gain to improve on their standard of living for the overall development of the country.
“We are here to teach and give you business tips to manage the loan and succeed in your businesses,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Wamu Adams thanked the Federal Government for the gesture and called for its sustenance.
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