The Ogun State Government has empowered women disbursing operating costs to Livelihood Collective Groups and Hubs, a significant step taken to empower them economically, financially and socially in rural and vulnerable communities through the Nigeria For Women Project (NFWP).
Penpushing reports that Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, made this known at the flag off and handing over ceremony held at the Oba’s Complex, Oke-mosan Abeokuta.
The Commissioner explained that the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development would oversee the groups activities, emphasizing that the resources provided are not just tools, but seeds of opportunities that require careful nurturing, collaboration, and networking to unlock greater economic independence and empowerment.
Penpushing further reports that she advised the beneficiaries to utilise the funds judiciously for their intended purposes, saying the programme has achieved remarkable success, by disbursing ₦536,480,000.00 as revolving grants to Women Affinity Groups (WAGs), with participants collectively saving over ₦1,721,527,050.00.
The Commissioner stated that this demonstrates the state government’s commitment to fostering women’s economic independence and building a more inclusive economy, pointing out that the project has created life-changing opportunities for over 54,567 women beneficiaries
‘The NFWP has created life-changing opportunities for over 54,567 women beneficiaries, providing them with Individual Livelihood Grants to start new businesses or expand existing ones. Additionally, 11,435 WAG members have benefited from critical training in financial education, business skills, Gender and Life Skills, and grievance redress Mechanisms”, she said.
Penpushing also reports that Olu of Odeda, Oba David Isola Olorunnisola in his goodwill message attested to the fact that the project has brought remarkable development and achievement to the lives of women, and improved their livelihood.
The beneficiaries of the programme, Mrs. Egunjobi Okufunnilayo, a farmer from Yewa North, and Mrs. Olabiwonninu Yemisi, a tailor from Odeda Local Government, acknowledged that the Women Affinity Group programme has helped them grow their businesses significantly.
Penpushing reports that the beneficiaries appreciated the state government for lifting the hands of women in the state in order to make life easier for them, so as not to be redundant, promising, that the money would be used to expand their businesses and be useful to their families and the society at large.
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