Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, has revealed that over N3 billion has been disbursed to support 54,000 women under the Individual Livelihood Grants of the Nigeria For Women Project.
Engr. Salako-Oyedele made the announcement during the flag-off of the Livelihood Collective Operational and the handover of Livelihood Collective Groups to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development at the Obas Complex in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
She explained that the initiative is aimed at removing barriers that limit women’s participation in economic activities, thereby helping to strengthen their contributions to national development.
“The Nigeria for Women Project has created over 3,700 Affinity Groups, benefiting more than 67,000 women in Ijebu North-East, Odeda, Yewa North, and Ikenne Local Government Areas,” said Engr. Salako-Oyedele. She also highlighted that the government had provided N3 billion in grants to empower 54,000 women with individual livelihood grants in April 2022.
She emphasized that 61 Collectives were formed under the project, comprising 11,000 women who are now engaged in both agricultural and non-agricultural programs. These women have received extensive training in business skills, financial education, gender awareness, and life skills to help them overcome gender-based challenges and adopt modern entrepreneurial practices.
“I’m proud to announce that under my leadership as the Chairperson of the State Steering Committee for the Nigeria for Women Project, we have established 61 Collectives with over 11,000 women in agricultural and non-agricultural sectors across Ijebu North-East, Odeda, and Yewa North Local Government Areas,” she added.
The Deputy Governor also noted that the project’s success has inspired the Dapo Abiodun-led administration’s commitment to women’s empowerment, citing that over 100,000 additional women have benefited from the Oko’owo Dapo program across Ogun State.
Engr. Salako-Oyedele acknowledged that the success of the Nigeria for Women Project would be a stepping stone for the transfer of 61 collective groups and hubs to the Ministry of Women Affairs. “We are excited to hand over 61 collective groups and hubs, including rice processing hubs, maize storage and marketing hubs, cassava processing hubs, and tailoring hubs,” she said.
The Deputy Governor expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for selecting Ogun State as the South West representative for implementing the World Bank-supported Nigeria for Women Project, and urged the beneficiaries to make the most of the opportunities provided.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, also praised the project, revealing that over 1,616 Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) have been formed across the state’s 20 local government areas, benefiting 33,530 women who have been trained in financial education and business skills in 2024 alone.
“The program has also disbursed over N5 million to various WAGs, and participants have collectively saved over N1 billion,” she noted.
Hon. Adeleye further added that through the establishment of Women Affinity Groups, the project has created life-changing opportunities for over 54,000 women, providing them with critical training in various entrepreneurial skills.
The flag-off ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including Hon. Hadiza Abubakar Yar’adua and Dr. Nofisa Muhammad, the Commissioners for Women Affairs and Social Development of Katsina and Zamfara, along with Dr. Aisha Abubakar, who represented the Jigawa State Commissioner for Women Affairs.
Beneficiaries such as Mrs. Egunjobi Olufunmilayo, a farmer from Yewa North; Mrs. Olabiwonninu Yemisi, a tailor from Odeda; and Mrs. Obikoya Oluwasola from Ijebu North-East, shared how the Women Affinity Group program has enabled them to expand and grow their businesses significantly.
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