Empowerment
FG enrolls 98, 000 beneficiaries for GEEP 2.0 programme
The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has concluded plans to roll out the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme GEEP 2.0 across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The special adviser to the minister on media Nneka Ikem Anibeze in a statement indicated that plan was coming after the final verification of Phase 1 applicants who qualified and were selected to benefit from small loans ranging from N50,000 to N300,000.
Anibeze quoted thee Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq to have said that all beneficiaries of GEEP 2.0 shall receive congratulatory and sensitization text messages in the coming days informing them of their qualification and to reiterate that the empowerment program is a loan and not a grant.
“All qualified beneficiaries will soon receive their disbursement alerts. We wish to remind all qualified beneficiaries that this is a loan payable without interest. It is not a grant or a government windfall. It is a soft interest-free loan that must be paid back within 9 months”. Umar Farouq also announced that the Ministry is at the verge of rolling out the program nationwide, after which an enumeration exercise to capture beneficiaries’ biodata, will take place.
The GEEP 2.0 is a loan scheme designed by the Federal Government to provide financial inclusion and give credit access to poor and vulnerable individuals, including Persons With Disability and persons at the bottom of the economic pyramid who are engaged in small scale commercial activities under its three flagship schemes: MarketMoni, TraderMoni and FarmerMoni.
Tradermoni targets uplifting under-privileged and marginalized youths aged between 18-40 years in Nigeria by providing them with loans of N50,000 while MarketMoni targets under-privileged and marginalized women aged between 18-55 years like Widows, divorcees amongst other vulnerable groups. They get interest-free loans of N50,000 payable within 6-9 months.
FarmerMoni is for Nigerian farmers aged between 18-55 years in rural areas that operate in the agricultural space. They are provided with loans of up to N300,000 for farming input. This scheme has 12 months including 3 months moratorium and 9 months repayment period.
Empowerment
Again, Obi doles out N60m to educational institutions in Anambra
***Canvasses for health, education as keys to poverty eradication
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 General elections Peter Obi, has again donated N60 million to two educational institutions in Anambra State.
The effort is to strengthen health and education sectors he considers essential for lifting people out of poverty.
During a visit on Monday, Obi presented N50 million to Peter University in Achina and later donated N10 million to the College of Nursing Sciences in Adazi Nnukwu.
Just on Thursday last week Obi had donated N60m to support local institutions; N50m to the University on the Niger (UNINIGER) in Umunya, the university’s Iyi-Enu campus, to aid its expansion and infrastructure goals.
He also visited the School of Nursing at Iyienu Mission Hospital in Ogidi, where he contributed an additional N10 million to support healthcare training.
Writing on his X-handle on Monday, Obi expressed that the contributions align with his longstanding commitment to fostering a productive Nigeria. “Health and education are the cornerstones of development,” Obi remarked.
“A nation cannot progress without a healthy and educated workforce.” He highlighted the importance of prioritizing the future of Nigeria’s youth, given the country’s predominantly young population.
The donations are part of Obi’s broader vision of building a “New Nigeria” by investing in critical sectors that address poverty and improve citizens’ quality of life. He emphasized that such investments are crucial for creating a nation where citizens can contribute productively to economic growth and development.
Obi also extended gratitude to the proprietors, management, staff, and students of both institutions, commending their dedication to the fields of health and education.
His message of hope and commitment concluded with a reaffirmation of his belief that a “New and Productive Nigeria is Possible.”
Empowerment
Reps member Launches ICT Hub in Ibadan to Promote Digital Literacy
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Digital, Information Communication Technology, and Cybersecurity, Hon. Adedeji Dhikrullahi Olajide, has inaugurated a cutting-edge ICT Hub at Oba Abass Aleshinloye Secondary School in Eleyele, Ibadan. This development, in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), aims to boost digital literacy and broaden educational opportunities for students in the area.
The ICT Hub, equipped with modern computers, high-speed internet, and essential software, reflects Hon. Olajide’s vision of a tech-driven Nigeria. Tolu Mustapha, Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, highlighted that the facility aligns with the Oyo State Government’s commitment to improving technological access and educational quality, especially within the Ibadan North West/Ibadan South West Federal Constituency.
“This ICT Hub isn’t just about infrastructure; it’s a doorway to new possibilities,” Mustapha stated. “It’s designed to equip our youths with the skills they need to excel in a tech-centric future, fostering a self-sustaining and innovative socio-economic environment.”
The hub will primarily serve students at Oba Abass Aleshinloye Secondary School but is open to neighboring schools, encouraging a collaborative learning environment.
Workshops and training sessions are also planned to maximize the hub’s benefits for students and teachers alike.
By establishing the ICT Hub, Hon. Olajide fulfills a campaign promise and contributes to Nigeria’s journey toward a technology-driven economy. This project, he emphasized, is part of an effort to prepare Nigerian youth for success in a global digital landscape.
Empowerment
Businessman empowers 50 youths, women with strategic business training in Gombe
By Friday Idachaba
A Businessman, Muhammad Sani Abdullahi (Majin Dukku), has sponsored 50 youths and women in strategic business training and empowerment on Agricultural value chain in Livestock, in Dukku Local Government of Gombe State.
Addressing newsmen at the end of the three-day programme which was held at Mohammad Inuwa Yahaya Hall, Dukku, Muhammad Sani Abdullahi said that the beneficiaries were carefully selected from Dukku town and its environs.
He said that the three-day programme was organized by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) Zaria in collaboration with AMRAH Farms Nigeria Limited.
The traditional title holder of Majin-Dukku expressed satisfaction with the success of the training programme and charged the participants to put the knowledge acquired into proper use in order to have stable and viable sources of livelihood.
In his remarks, the Community representative, Hon. Abdulkadir Abubakar Alkali, urged the participants to take advantage of the training in finding their way into businesses capable of improving their standard of living.
Hon. Abdulkadir also urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items of empowerment given them as he assured that more empowerment programmes were on the way for the good Dukku people.
Earlier in his address, Dr Ayinla John, representative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and NAPRI, commended the facilitator for his support and developmental efforts in the community.
He urged the beneficiaries to use the opportunity accorded them to improve their livelihood and wellbeing.
In his remarks, Alhamdullilah Bello A. Tahir, Director, AMRAH Farms Nig. Ltd, represented by Mallam Suberu Ahmed Tijani, urged the beneficiaries to make use of the training programme to develop themselves and become self-reliant.
He expressed optimism that the skills acquired would improve their standard of living as he appealed to the beneficiaries to grow day-old chicks rather than sell them off for quick money as some individuals do.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Class Governor, Bappah Ladan and his Deputy Umukulsum Abubakar thanked the Facilitator and expressed their gratitude.
They attested to the fact that the training exposed them to new ways of enhancing their businesses and appealed to other well-meaning individuals in the society to emulate the Majin-Dukku to initiate laudable projects that make direct impact on the society.
At the end of the training programme, each participant was given a Carton of day old chicks (50), 50 kg feeds, drinkers, feeders, drugs, medication and cash support. (Ends)
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