• Friday, March 29, 2024
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Buhari announces N1.6billion women empowerment fund

women-empowerment

President Muhammadu Buhari has announced the government is set to launch a N1.6billion National Women’s Empowerment Fund to assist in rehabilitating the economies of rural communities, especially those impacted by the insurgency and conflict.

The President who made the announcement during his democracy day broadcast, Sunday morning, also announced the official launch of the social protection programmes for which half a trillion has been budgeted for in the 2016 spending plan.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the increasing role that our women are playing in revitalizing the agricultural sector.

“Modern farming is still hard and heavy work and I salute our Nigerian women in sharing this burden. “In this respect I am very pleased to announce that the government will shortly be launching the national women’s empowerment fund, which I have approved to provide N1.6 billion in micro-finance loans to women across the nation to assist in rehabilitating the economies of
rural communities, particularly those impacted by the insurgency and conflict” the President said.

He officially announced the launch of what he term “by far the most ambitious social protection programme in our history”, a programme he says both seeks to start the process of lifting many from poverty and at the same time create the opportunity for people to fend for themselves .

“In this regard, Five Hundred Billion Naira has been appropriated in the 2016 budget for social intervention programmes in five key areas.

“We are committed to providing job creation opportunities for five hundred thousand teachers and one hundred thousand artisans across the nation. 5.5 million children are to be provided with nutritious meals through our school feeding programme to improve learning outcomes, as
well as enrolment and completion rates. “

With respect to solid minerals, the President his government now had a roadmap which would see the ministry working closely with the world bank and major international investors to ensure through best practices and due diligence that the right partners are chosen.

“Illegal mining remains a problem and we have set up a special security team to protect our assets. Special measures will be in place to protect miners in their work environment” he said decrying the fact that for too long, “ours has been a society that neglects the poor and victimizes the weak. A society that promotes profit and growth over development and freedom”.

He paid special tribute to the gallant men and women of the armed forces who are in harm’s way to secure the nation.

“Their work is almost done. The nation owes them a debt of gratitude” he said.

On the Niger Delta, the President said his administration is committed to implementing the United Nations Environment Programme report and are advancing clean-up operations as well as taking a sustainable approach to address issues affecting the delta communities.

“Re-engineering the amnesty programmes is an example of this,” he said adding that the recent spate of attacks by militants disrupting oil and power installations will not distract the government from engaging leaders in the region in addressing Niger Delta problems.

“ If the militants and vandals are testing our resolve, they are much mistaken. We shall apprehend the perpetrators and their sponsors and bring them to justice.’ he added.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to rescuing the missing Chibok school girls. “We will never stop until we bring them home safely. As I said before, no girl should be put through the brutality of forced marriage and every Nigerian girl has the right to an education and a life choice” he said.

 

Elizabeth Archibong