By Salejo Kano (Kano State Correspondent)
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano state has presented N50,000 grants each to 5, 200 women in the state.
Speaking at the event in Kano, Yusuf reaffirmed his commitment to empowering women and youths to alleviate the economic hardship being experienced in the country and make them self-reliant.
According to the governor, since the launching of the intervention program in May last year, his administration has improved the livelihoods of over 41,600 vulnerable women by removing a significant financial barrier to contribute to the economy of the state.
"We understand very well that to tackle gross poverty, we need to give people more than just capital."
Governor Yusuf noted that, his administration aims to empower people with the knowledge and skills to make the right decisions to improve their fortunes.
"Therefore, we also tried to roll out several programs to improve access to quality education guarantee food security fast-track rural development and urban renewal and create employment opportunities for our youth and women to mitigate the impact of catastrophic health care spending on low-income earners.
"Our administration has recently provided universal health coverage to over 300,000 vulnerable people identified in the social register."
The Governor called on the women beneficiaries to ensure proper utilization of the capital given to them.
"I want to re-notify you that the capital given to you is not a loan. It is government's gesture to give them free without any refund or any tax attached to it. We, as a government, reasoned that you stand a higher chance of creating wealth in our society when you are not in debt."
He expressed the hope that the beneficiaries will reciprocate by investing wisely and working hard to break out of the poverty cycle.
Governor Yusuf noted that his administration has implemented various programs to improve access to quality education, guarantee food security, fast-track rural development and urban renewal, and create employment opportunities for youth and women.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke in an interview expressed gratitude to the governor and promised judicious use of the grants. NNL.
