The Wife of the Katsina State Governor, Hajiya Zulaihat Dikko Radda, has called on the wives of Local Government Chairmen across the 34 Local Government Areas to champion women empowerment initiatives capable of improving household incomes and reducing poverty.
She made the call at the flag-off of an empowerment programme for 363 women at the Rimi Local Government Secretariat, where she praised the Wife of the Principal Private Secretary, PPS Hajiya Rahmatu Abdullahi Turaji, for her commitment to supporting women at the grassroots.
Hajiya Zulaihat urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the cash and equipment provided by investing in viable businesses that would improve their standard of living.
The empowerment package saw 178 women receive ₦20,000 each, 30 others receive ₦30,000 each, while five women leaders were presented with ₦100,000 each to expand their businesses.
Another 150 women received empowerment items, including sewing machines, grinding machines, two kilograms of soya beans, one litre of vegetable oil, charcoal stove and ₦5,000 each as start-up support.
Earlier, Hajiya Rahamatu Abdullahi said the initiative was aimed at promoting self-reliance among women through economic empowerment.
In separate remarks, the Chairman of Rimi Local Government, Alhaji Muhammad Ali, and his wife, Hajiya Rukkaya Muhammad, thanked the Wife of the Governor and the organisers for the initiative, describing it as a significant step towards improving the welfare of women in the state.
The Katsina State Women Leader, Hajiya Aisha Matazu and the Rimi Women leader Hajia Hauwa, delivered their vote of thanks, expressing appreciation to all contributors to the programme and wishing participants a safe journey home.
