The Kebbi State Government says at least 150,000 women will benefit from training, empowerment initiatives, and community investment grants under the World Bank-supported Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP).
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, Halima Hassan-Kamba, disclosed this on Monday in Birnin Kebbi during an inter-ministerial briefing organised by the Ministry of Information and Culture.
She said the project followed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the state government and the NFWP, with five local government areas already enrolled.
According to her, each participating LGA is expected to mobilise 120 Women Affinity Groups (WAGs), while female facilitators under the programme receive monthly allowances.
Hassan-Kamba said the ministry’s mandate is to formulate policies, legislation, and programmes that protect, support, and empower women and children in the state.
“Its interventions focus on skills acquisition, protection of child rights, promotion of gender equality, and prevention of child abuse, child marriage, and domestic violence,” she noted.
She said the ministry had recorded significant achievements under the present administration through people-oriented programmes aimed at improving the welfare of women, children, and vulnerable groups.
Hassan-Kamba assured that the ministry would continue to champion training, skills acquisition, and empowerment programmes for women and youths to promote self-reliance and economic growth.
The ministry has also facilitated the graduation and rehabilitation of grown-up orphans by providing life-support materials and cash assistance to help them start small businesses.
“Support to social welfare institutions under the ministry’s supervision has improved by over 200 percent,” she said.
Hassan-Kamba noted that annual mass weddings for less privileged couples have been held consistently since the current administration took office, with full provision of marriage and household items.
She said the initiative has strengthened religious and moral values, promoted social cohesion, reduced immorality, and lowered barriers to marriage among vulnerable groups.
On infrastructure, she said the ministry renovated and commissioned the Kauran Gwandu Children’s Home in Kawara to provide a better environment for orphans and vulnerable children.
“The state remand home has also been relocated to a newly renovated and furnished site to improve rehabilitation services. The administration has approved the purchase of houses, tricycles, motorcycles, and household items for orphans and vulnerable persons when requests are presented,” she said.
“The ministry also marks key international events such as the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, International Women’s Day, World Hijab Day, Children’s Day, and annual Ramadan lectures for women. Delegates were sponsored to the 24th National Council on Women Affairs meeting in Jos.
“In collaboration with NAPTIP, more than 45 rescued trafficked children have been repatriated and reunited with their families. Similarly, 105 children from the remand home have been rehabilitated and reunited with their families,” she added.
Through its partnership with UNICEF, the ministry has strengthened social service delivery by training social and auxiliary social workers in three LGAs to improve child welfare, advocacy, and mental health support.
Hassan-Kamba reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to advancing the welfare of women, children, and vulnerable groups through sustainable and inclusive programmes.
