Kogi Approves N500m Women Empowerment Counterpart Fund »

At the state executive council meeting held on Thursday in government house Lokoja, presided over by Gov Yahaya Bello, the council approved pressing resolutions that are geared towards achieving the goals of the New Direction blueprint.

Speaking to newsmen after the executive council meeting, the Commissioner of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning Hon. Idris Asiru revealed that the Council approved a 500 million naira counterpart funds for the Kogi-Nigerian Women Project. The project, a $20 million World Bank-assisted women’s fund, is intended to assist women in the state economically.

This approval, he noted, is in response to the state governor’s inauguration of a committee to oversee the plight and concerns of women in the state. The committee is however tasked with the economic empowerment and assistance of women in the state.

Hon. Asiru emphasized that various women groups and associations will benefit from the funds, which is intended to help women in business, agriculture, education, and health. He however noted that the goal of the initiative is to boost the state’s women’s capacity index in accordance with Yahaya Bello’s new direction blueprint.

Similarly, Hon. Asiru also disclosed that the executive council approved the Bello Care Project under the Bello Nigeria Limited incorporated under the ministry of finance. He said the purpose of the initiative is to ensure that the plight of the people are being addressed ranging from health, education and business related issues. He noted that the Bello Care Initiative will interface directly with beneficiaries without third parties interference. He affirmed that the funds budgeted for the program to kick start have been approved.

The Commissioner stated that the executive council also approved the creation of animal husbandry service and the designation of the department of veterinary and livestock service as part of animal husbandry in the ministry of agriculture in the state. In his statement, he noted that the approval will boost economic growth in that sector.