Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has released N149 million for the purchase of shares at the Dangote Refinery for 28,284 vulnerable women in the state
A statement issued Thursday by the governor’s spokesman, Ismaila Uba Misilli, said the money is part of counterpart funding for the state’s partnership with the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), for vulnerable women to benefit from a financial empowerment programme
Misilli said Governor Yahaya approved the state’s contribution to the programme, which covers the 11 local government areas of the state and seeks to promote financial inclusion, wealth creation and sustainable poverty reduction
According to him, under the arrangement, the state government’s contribution will secure 10 financial shares for each beneficiary, while the Aliko Dangote Foundation will provide an additional 10 shares, bringing the total to 20 shares per woman
The programme is designed to provide vulnerable women with access to financial assets, strengthen their economic resilience and create opportunities for improved livelihoods and greater financial independence
Speaking on the partnership, the Head of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Ms Zouera Yusuf, commended Governor Yahaya for being the first governor in Nigeria to participate in the programme and fulfil the required counterpart funding obligation.
She acknowledged the state Government’s commitment to women empowerment through policies and programmes aimed at improving the welfare of vulnerable groups
Ms Yusuf noted that the partnership would further promote economic opportunities for women and their households
She reiterated the foundation’s commitment to supporting the state’s poverty reduction and wealth creation efforts, expressing readiness to sustain collaboration with the government to improve the economic well-being of citizens
Misilli added that to guarantee effective coordination, transparent implementation and accountability, the state government has inaugurated a multisectoral committee to oversee the partnership and ensure the successful delivery of the programme
“The committee comprises representatives of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction,” the statement said