By David Odama
LAFIA – Dangote group of company has empowered 13, 000 vulnerable women with N13m across the 13 local government areas of Nasarawa state.

Aliko Dangote

The gesture which was extended to Nasarawa state through Aliko dangote foundation under its micro grants programme has given N10,000 each to the 13, 000 women.

1000 beneficiaries from each of the local government area of the state included women with disabilities, widows among others selected for the micro grant.

President, Dangote group of Company, Aliko Dangote flagging off the disbursement on Wednesday in Lafia, noted that the micro grant was aimed at complementing government’s effort in women empowerment.

HIS words: “the micro grants programme is one of the economic empowerment pillar of the foundation which provides disadvantaged and vulnerable women with unconditional N10,000 cash transfer to boost their household income generation.

“The programme which was launched some years ago and it’s being systematically rolled out nationwide targets a minimum of 1000 vulnerable women in each of the 774 local governments areas across the country and N10 billion is estimated to be spent .

“The programme is equally aimed at complementing the effort of the state government in economic empowerment and poverty reduction drive.

“For the first time in the history of the programme, we have partnered with Access bank to open bank accounts for all the beneficiaries in Nasarawa state and we will issue them with a customized debit cards which we are unveiling today”, he added.

While lauding the benevolence of Aliko Dangote through his foundation, governor Umaru Tanko Almakura solicited for more partnership with Dangote group of companies to improve the lots of the people in the state.

He said “knowing him for his philanthropy and sense of patriotism, I will like to also solicit for further partnership especially in the area of rice production, salt refining, solid mineral processing and other areas which the state has comparative advantage.”

While urging other wealthy individuals, corporate organisations and philanthropists to emulate the gesture of Aliko Dangote, he described the gesture as a means of alleviating poverty in the land and imprinting his name in gold in the mind of beneficiaries across the country.