About 1,000 women and youth in Kaduna State have been empowered with business grants as part of efforts by the member representing Kachia/Kagarko Federal Constituency in the state, Gabriel Zock, to address the hardship in the country.
In collaboration with the National Productivity Centre, the empowerment programme provided N50,000 each to 900 beneficiaries, while 100 others with exceptional business proposals received grants ranging from N300,000 to N7 million.
Addressing the beneficiaries in Kachia town, Zock harped on the importance of using the funds wisely to achieve financial independence and create job opportunities for others.
The lawmaker explained that the programme was designed to alleviate economic challenges, enabling constituents to start or expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
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To ensure proper use of the funds, Zock partnered with a microfinance bank to disburse the grants and monitor the beneficiaries’ business progress. The bank also provided business management training to the recipients.
“This empowerment grant is a response to the country’s economic situation. We recognise the challenges faced by the masses and aim to support our constituents by helping them start or grow businesses and access farm inputs, leading to improved livelihoods,” Zock said.
The Deputy Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Henry Danjuma, commended the initiative, noting that it will significantly reduce poverty in the constituency and urged the beneficiaries to use the funds wisely.