Minister advises women to embrace FG’s empowerment programme

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November 9, 2016 4:47 PM

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development gave the advice when she paid an advocacy visit to Jos to sensitise women

Aisha Alhassan

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Aisha Alhassan, has advised women in Plateau to empower themselves by embracing Federal Government’s Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP).

She gave the advice on Wednesday when she paid advocacy visit to Jos to sensitise women on the benefits of availing themselves of the programme.

She said that GEEP was aimed at reducing poverty amongst women, adding that it would also help to rebuild the economies of rural areas.

She said: "GEEP will help rebuild the Nigerian economy; it will complement other economic empowerment strategies of the federal and state governments.

"It has four objectives which includes the provision of skills development training and provision of micro-credit loans.

"The loans are interest free and no collateral is required.

"The forms to apply for the loan is absolutely free of charge; each beneficiary can get a loan ranging from N10,000 to N100,000 and is repayable in six months.

"The loan will be paid directly into each beneficiary’s individual account.

"As such account and BVN numbers are to be provided by each applicant for the loan," she said.

The minister said that men could also take advantage of the GEEP as the programme was meant to provide assistance for artisans, farmers, market women and entrepreneurs.

She said that her ministry is working with development partners to provide financial literacy and skills training for beneficiaries of the programme.

In her remarks, the wife of Plateau governor, Mrs Regina Lalong, urged women to embrace the opportunity offered by the programme to improve their well being.

She said that the empowerment of a woman translated to empowering the whole family.

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