By Abubakar Abdullahi
In a significant move aimed at boosting small-scale businesses and fostering economic growth in Shongom Local Government Area, the Chairperson, Hajiya Fatima Bello, has empowered 200 rural women with business skills and a cash grant of N50,000 each to enhance their ventures.
This initiative is aligned with the current administration’s vision of supporting grassroots development, as championed by Governor Muhammadu Yahaya and his wife, Hajiya Asma’u Inuwa.
Speaking during the empowerment ceremony, Bello emphasised the importance of empowering women in rural areas, stating that the financial support and business training provided would help the beneficiaries sustain and grow their businesses.
She expressed confidence in the women’s ability to effectively manage the funds and urged them to make the most of the opportunity. The Chairperson further promised to continue her efforts in empowering more people in the future.
The LG boss also used the platform to call for unity and peace among the people of Shongom LGA, urging them to live in harmony and continue to pray for their leaders at all levels of government.
The Secretary of the Local Government, Alhaji Saidu Filiya, commended the Chairperson for her consistent support and dedication to improving the lives of her people. He highlighted that Bello’s initiatives have significantly impacted the community within a short period of time.
In their separate remarks, the youth leader and the women’s leader of Shongom LGA praised the Chairperson’s achievements, noting that her work and empowerment programs in just five months surpass the contributions made by previous administrations over a decade. They expressed gratitude to the governor for supporting Bello’s aspiration as Chairperson, describing her as the right leader for the people of Shongom.
Several beneficiaries of the empowerment program, including Yohana Bena Laujummai, Ms Gambo Maishanu, and Comrade Elkana Danbakwai of Kushi Ward, expressed their appreciation to the governor and the chairperson. They pledged to utilise the support they received to effectively run and expand their businesses.
The empowerment initiative is seen as a positive step towards economic self-reliance for rural women, as well as an example of responsive and inclusive governance under the leadership of Governor Yahaya and Hajiya Bello.
