Kogi @31: Rashida Bello empowers women with cash »

As part of activities marking the 31st anniversary of the creation of Kogi state, the Wife of governor Yahaya Bello, Mrs. Rashida Bello in her quest to empower people in the rural areas, particularly women, has given financial support to over 350 indigent women including persons living with disabilities across the 21 local government areas of the state.

The empowerment, according to Mrs Bello is aimed at assisting the women to start-up or invest in their existing businesses in order to become self-reliant.

Speaking at the event held in government house on Friday, the First Lady said the initiative is one of the ways the government of Yahaya Bello is showing its commitment to improving the status of women and youths in the state.

“Kogi state would be 31 on the the 27th of August, and considering the high priority that our governor accord to women empowerment, we decided to bring you together and encourage you with a token. It is said that if you empower a woman, you have empowered a nation. The little fund given to you today should be used to start a business or added to existing business to boost it. It is just a means of encouragement.” she said.

Rashida urged the women of the state to be their neighbors keeper and to also continue in their support for the New Direction administration of governor Yahaya Bello, adding that they will witness more of infrastructural and human capital development in coming days.

Earlier in her welcome address, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajia Fati Kabir Buba, said this year’s anniversary of the state is unprecedented as the event premise on promoting the SDGs through women empowerment.

She appreciated governor Yahaya Bello and his wife for their love and compassion for women, adding that Bello is gender friendly and a women advocate.

Representative of the National Council for Women Society, Kogi state, Mrs. Petra Balagbogbo, said women never had it so good since the creation of the state until the coming of governor Yahaya Bello. She said whilst women nationwide are clamoring for 35 percent affirmative action, Kogi State had already gone beyond forty percent.

She commended governor Bello for making Kogi women proud as they have become the envy women in other states.

Beneficiaries of the empowerment were appreciative of the gesture from the First Lady and promised to make judicious use of the cash to improve their businesses.