By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
The Chairman of Taura Local Government Council in Jigawa State, Hon. Shuaibu Hambali, has rolled out a far-reaching empowerment programme worth over ₦250 million, targeting more than 1,000 residents across the local government area.
The initiative, described as one of the most comprehensive grassroots interventions in the state, is aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Umar Namadi’s 12-Point Development Agenda, both of which prioritise inclusive growth, poverty reduction and human capital development.
The empowerment programme spans critical sectors including economic development, education, healthcare, housing, safety and skills acquisition.
Speaking during the distribution exercise, Hon. Hambali said the programme was designed to translate national and state development policies into tangible benefits for ordinary citizens at the grassroots.
“This intervention is about putting hope in the hands of our people, empowering them with skills, tools and opportunities to improve their livelihoods,” he said.
Under the economic empowerment component, the council distributed 43 motorcycles, 190 sewing machines to trained tailors, and 180 pasta-making machines alongside 180 bags of 10kg flour to women entrepreneurs. Other items distributed included 50 grinding machines, 31 welding machines, 20 water pumps for farmers and 20 generators for phone-charging businesses.
Women empowerment featured prominently, with frying equipment for akara and kosai distributed to 60 women, while 15 wheelchairs were presented to persons living with disabilities.
To boost small-scale businesses, cash grants were also disbursed. Beneficiaries of vocational training received ₦100,000 each, while 100 Fulani women engaged in milk trading were supported with ₦10,000 each. Motorcycle riders’ associations in the 10 wards of the local government also received ₦30,000 per ward.
In the area of skills development, 40 residents were trained in Electrical Installation and Maintenance, while 10 others underwent training in Welding and Fabrication, in line with efforts to enhance employability and self-reliance.
Hon. Hambali further disclosed that the council constructed eight houses—four for vulnerable persons, two for new converts and two for vulnerable political actors. He also announced the donation of a plot of land to an Islamiyya school in Taura, underscoring the council’s support for community and faith-based education.
As part of safety interventions in riverine areas, 200 life jackets were distributed to improve accident prevention and emergency response.
In the education sector, the council distributed 8,000 exercise books to primary school pupils, 15,000 lesson plan books to teachers, 15,000 Primary School Leaving Certificate booklets and 1,000 cartons of chalk to schools across the local government. In addition, 191 temporary teachers were registered under the T-Teach programme.
Further demonstrating its commitment to education, the council awarded scholarships to 78 students whose studies are fully sponsored at tertiary institutions, including Schools of Nursing and Midwifery in Kazaure and Nguru, Aminatu College and the Police College.
In healthcare delivery, the council sponsored free hernia surgeries for 50 patients and free eye surgeries for 60 others. A total of 25,000 diagnostic cards were distributed free of charge, while ₦7.45 million was spent on medical care for 21 critically ill patients referred to Rasheed Shekoni Teaching Hospital.
Community leaders and beneficiaries commended the initiative, describing it as people-focused and impactful. They noted that the programme reflects the spirit of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Namadi’s 12-Point Agenda, which emphasise social welfare, human development and inclusive governance.
They expressed optimism that such grassroots-driven interventions would accelerate socio-economic development and strengthen public confidence in government at all levels.
Taura Chairman Empowers 1,000 Residents, Aligns With Tinubu, Namadi Agenda
