Many beneficiaries of the federal government’s N-Power programme, under the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), said it has helped them lift their lives.
The beneficiaries who were supervised by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, received N30, 000 every month for two years.
Some of the beneficiaries at a training workshop in Maiduguri told Kanem Trust that the scheme had helped them to venture into other businesses from the savings they made from their allowances.
John Moses, a beneficiary under N-agro, said he saved part of the money he received monthly and went into irrigation farming.
He said, “I have made a lot of money from farming. I grow onions, vegetables, watermelon and, even now, my customers have already placed orders. I would like to inspire the youths to go into farming, because it is profitable and can change lives. With farming, one can achieve some of their goals. I have used the stipends from N-Power to further my education and I employ farm workers who are also benefiting from me.”
Mohammed Lawal Samanja, from Damaturu, Yobe State, said he used the money from the programme to set up a cyber café and offer computer services to customers.
Samanja said he had employed few staff members to handle the numerous demands of customers and made profits daily.
Also, Muhammed Chiroma, an N-agro beneficiary from Yobe State, said he saved his earnings to set up a provisions store where he sells perfume, toothpaste, shoes and many other items.
He said “During the rainy season, I also grow food crops such as millet, beans, and groundnut. I had a good harvest last year. I also engage in animal farming where I buy cows, fatten them and sell them .”
Jamila Ooye, from Taraba State, was a beneficiary under N-agro Batch B who saved her monthly income to start the business of buying clothes from wholesalers and selling to customers.
“I have a business outfit where I started selling children’s clothes and wrappers. I move from one place to another selling my products and supplying wrappers for wedding and naming ceremonies. I am self-employed,” she said.
