Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima has emphasized the need for the government's economic reforms to translate into stronger businesses, greater purchasing power, and an improved quality of life for Nigerians. Speaking at the flag-off of the Community Investment Fund disbursement in Katsina, Shettima stated that economic reform must find expression in the earning capacity of citizens. He stressed the importance of connecting national policy to the circumstances of traders, producers, and service providers.
Shettima made the remarks while launching the Community Investment Fund under the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up Project at Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina. The project aims to empower business women in the state with financial inclusion. The Vice President declared that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is committed to making the efforts of citizens more rewarding, so that national growth becomes intelligible in the accounts of an ordinary household.
The Vice President also canvassed for a conducive business environment for Nigerian women to ply their trade, saying the nation owes them an economy worthy of their labour. According to him, women should be given more space for their ambition to flourish, unlike in the past when they carried heavy responsibilities with limited resources for their businesses to thrive. Shettima noted that women have been carrying heavy responsibilities with limited means.
During his visit to Katsina, Shettima inaugurated 32 compressed natural gas-powered buses and 200 electric-powered tricycles under the Katsina State Comprehensive Urban Renewal Programme. He also commissioned several completed road projects undertaken to improve traffic flow, connectivity, and urban mobility in the state metropolis. These projects aim to enhance the overall quality of life for residents in Katsina.
The Community Investment Fund disbursement aims to empower over 40,000 women in Katsina who are eligible to receive business capital after fulfilling the prescribed eligibility conditions and demonstrating satisfactory performance in their savings and group activities. Shettima stressed that the fund answers a question that should trouble every government, which borders on how much prosperity has been postponed by asking women to work miracles with too little capital.
Shettima made a strong case for women empowerment, stating that daughters should inherit their mothers' determination without inheriting every obstacle their mothers endured. He emphasized that the programme's success is crucial in teaching girls that skill can yield an income and that ambition can survive contact with adversity. The Vice President expressed confidence in the abilities of the women and flagged off the Community Investment Fund disbursement.
The Vice President hailed Governor Dikko Radda's sensitivity to what he described as an "economic necessity that reaches beyond the loudest voices." He commended the governor's attention to women and vulnerable groups, noting that it is an essential step towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society. With the launch of the Community Investment Fund, Shettima expressed hope that Almighty Allah will bless the efforts of the women and grant Nigeria enduring prosperity.
Key points
- Vice President Kashim Shettima launches Community Investment Fund to empower business women in Katsina
- Shettima stresses need for economic reforms to benefit citizens, improve purchasing power and quality of life
- Over 40,000 women in Katsina eligible to receive business capital under the Community Investment Fund disbursement
