Press Release: Governor Bagudu Inaugurates Steering and Technical Committees for Nigeria Women Project (NFWP)

Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu on Monday inaugurated the State's Steering and Technical Committees for the Nigeria Women Project (NWFP), a World Bank Assisted Programme.

Under it, no fewer than 54,000 indigent women are expected to be empowered from Ngaski, Maiyama and Argungu Local Governments.

Bagudu said at the event that, Kebbi State was selected to benefit from the all-important project by the World Bank, in a keen performance-based competition among the Nigerian states.

According to the Kebbi Governor: “The Project is tagged, Performance for Result and we must diligently deliver and perform, to sustainably benefit from it.”

“The World Bank has earmarked over $100 million for the lucky participating states and we cannot afford to lag behind.”

“Nothing should be left to chances in ensuring the timely meeting of the set deadlines.”

“Consequently, organization and keeping records are very important, just like compliance with the World Bank requirements,” Bagudu, added.

Bagudu averred that, the two committees were critical to determining the successful participation of the state in the project.

He further stressed that, Kebbi women needed the programme and it will be replicated to the other local governments in due course.

The governor also emphasized the need for the members of the two committees to strive, to ensure that, Kebbi leads in the project.

Bagudu tasked the Ministry of Women Affairs to buckle up, to ensure that, women were carried along in all programmes and policies of the three tiers of government, as well as other development partners.

Bagudu said, “we have to better the lot of the women in the state if we are to record any appreciable growth and development.”

“We are currently being bogged down by myriad of challenges ranging from COVID-19, flood disasters and economic crunch, as well as other related health and education malaises.”

“So, we need to do more, with the little we have at our disposal and the women are at the heart of everything.”

“Therefore, absolute transparency and the involvement of all the intended beneficiaries are key. Women should be number one in all we do.”

In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of Ministry for Women Affairs, Hajiya Aishatu Muhammed Maikurata said the program was designed to improve the livelihood of women mostly those that are economically active to enable them have access to social and financial capital which will give them opportunity to support their family and community at large.

According to her, the 54,000 beneficiaries would have to form a group called Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) comprising 12 to 15 members with the group leadership on rotational basis.

She averred “the project is not just to give grants to the women but also to build the capacity of our women for them to know how to utilize the resources given to them.”

She thanked governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for making it possible for the Ministry to meet all the necessary requirements of the World Bank for the project.

The state deputy governor, Alhaji Samaila Yombe Dabai will chair the steering committee with ten other members while the Permanent Secretary Women Affairs Ministry, Hajiya Aishat Muhamed Maikurata is to head the state technical committee.

Signed:
YAHAYA SARKI
Special Adviser SA Media to Kebbi State Governor
7/9/2020.