The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development have empowered 100 vulnerable women and girls in Yobe in groundnut oil extraction, soap, vaseline making, and tailoring.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Nasir Gwarzo, made this known while inaugurating the empowerment program on Thursday in Damaturu.
He said that the program aims to facilitate the protection and ensure proper reintegration of women and girls affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.
Gwarzo, who was represented by Mr. Peter Audu, the Deputy Director, Social Inclusion and Protection, added that the empowerment was also to ensure self-reliance among women and girls.
He said “The program aims to facilitate protection and ensure proper reintegration of women and girls affected by the Boko Haram insurgency and for self-reliance.”
He decried that a considerable number of married women became single, heads of households, and sole decision-makers due to kidnapping, death, or separation from their spouses.
“Women in the Northeastern part of Nigeria face constraints that manifest as social and economic norms, limiting their opportunities.
“As part of our comprehensive approach to providing an end-to-end solution to women’s social and economic challenges, we analyzed and evaluated skill acquisition programs.
“We consequently identified 100 vulnerable women and girls for empowerment, drawn from the 17 local government areas.
“The training is in groundnut oil extraction, soap and vaseline making, and tailoring, among others.
“In line with the ministry’s mandate, the trainees will be supported with N20,000 each to help them in generating activities that will support and encourage their economic stability and resilience,” he said.
Gwarzo commended Gov. Mai Mala Buni for supporting the successful commencement of the program in the state.
In his remarks, Ajiya Musa, the Permanent Secretary of, the Yobe State Ministry of Youth, Sports, Social and Community Development, appreciated the gesture and described it as timely.
He urged the beneficiaries to explore the opportunity by utilizing the skills and resources judiciously.
