Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for a conducive business environment for Nigerian women to thrive. He made this statement while flagging off the Community Investment Fund (CIF) disbursement for women's empowerment and financial inclusion under the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) Project in Katsina. The program aims to provide women with access to business capital, enabling them to grow their businesses and contribute to the economy. Shettima emphasized that women should be given more space for their ambition to flourish.
The CIF fund disbursement is part of the NFWP-SU Project, which seeks to empower women and promote financial inclusion. Over 40,000 women in Katsina are eligible to receive business capital after fulfilling the prescribed eligibility conditions and demonstrating satisfactory performance in their savings and group activities. Shettima noted that the program answers a critical question about how much prosperity has been postponed by asking women to work miracles with too little capital. He emphasized that women have carried heavy responsibilities with limited means.
Shettima made a passionate case for women's empowerment, stating that daughters should inherit their mothers' determination without inheriting every obstacle their mothers endured. He believes that this program will succeed, enabling girls to learn that skill can yield an income and that ambition can survive contact with adversity. The Vice President stressed that the nation owes women an economy worthy of their labour, providing them with the necessary resources to flourish.
The CIF design requires training, and Shettima explained that "money needs knowledge and organisation to produce lasting results." This approach ensures that women are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage their businesses effectively. The program is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of women in Katsina, enabling them to contribute to the economy and improve their livelihoods.
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Radda, has committed an additional N4 billion to the implementation of the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up, bringing the state's total financial commitment to the program to N8 billion. Governor Radda noted that the flag-off of the program was expanding economic opportunities for women across the state with the ultimate objective of improving their livelihoods.
World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mr Matthew Verghis, commended Nigerian women for their significant contributions across various sectors of the economy. He noted that closing gender gaps would require deliberate action, emphasizing the need for programs like the NFWP-SU Project. Verghis believes that such initiatives will help bridge the gap and provide women with equal opportunities to contribute to the economy.
The program also includes the inauguration of 32 compressed natural gas-powered buses and 200 electric-powered tricycles under the Katsina State Comprehensive Urban Renewal Programme. Additionally, several completed road projects were undertaken to improve connectivity and urban mobility in the state. These initiatives demonstrate the government's commitment to improving the lives of citizens and promoting economic growth.
Key points
- The Vice President has advocated for a conducive business environment for Nigerian women to thrive.
- Over 40,000 women in Katsina are eligible to receive business capital under the CIF disbursement.
- The program aims to promote financial inclusion and empower women to contribute to the economy.
