, aimed at){kind=link}
By Aliyu Bala Gerengi,Gombe
The Gombe State Government has committed N3.5 billion in counterpart funding to the Nigeria for Women Project Scale-Up (NFWP-SU), aimed at strengthening women’s economic empowerment, financial inclusion and livelihood opportunities across the state.
The commitment was disclosed during a sensitisation and awareness programme organised in Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area to deepen awareness and expand the implementation of the project among women at the grassroots.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, said the state government had continued to introduce and support programmes designed to improve the wellbeing and economic prospects of women.
Dr. Jatau cited the AGILE Project among the interventions being implemented by the government and urged women to take advantage of available opportunities to improve their economic wellbeing.
He also called on women to increase their participation in politics, leadership and decision-making, stressing that greater representation of women in governance was essential to inclusive development.
The Deputy Governor reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to ensuring that women-focused programmes remain sustainable beyond the lifespan of any administration.
He said the government would continue to strengthen policies, programmes and institutional frameworks that promote financial empowerment, entrepreneurship, leadership and socioeconomic development among women.
The NFWP-SU Team Lead, Mr. Michael Ilesonmi, commended Gombe State for its implementation of the programme, describing the state as the best-performing state in the implementation of the project in Nigeria.
Mr. Ilesonmi disclosed that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya had approved and disbursed N3.5 billion as counterpart funding for the programme, adding that the governor was prepared to increase the state’s contribution to further advance the socioeconomic wellbeing of women.
He described the funding commitment as evidence of the state government’s strong support for women’s economic empowerment.
The Women Affinity Group (WAG) model is at the centre of the NFWP-SU intervention. The model brings women together to save collectively, access small loans, support one another and expand their businesses.
It also promotes financial discipline, inclusion, rotational leadership, regular meetings, proper record-keeping, transparency and accountability.
The National Project Coordinator of the programme, Hajiya Hadiza Maina, explained that the NFWP-SU was designed to strengthen the socioeconomic wellbeing of women through financial empowerment, health and nutrition education, livelihood development and collective economic activities.
She said the programme initially targeted Balanga, Yamaltu-Deba and Funakaye Local Government Areas but had expanded to reach women across Gombe State.
According to her, women aged 18 years and above are eligible to participate in the programme.
The Chairman of Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area, Alhaji Yunusa Yakubu, expressed appreciation to the organisers and stakeholders for taking the intervention closer to women at the grassroots.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Berta Audu, commended the state government for its continued support for women-focused programmes and interventions.
The stakeholders expressed optimism that the expansion of the NFWP-SU and the state’s counterpart funding would enable more women to access structured savings, financial services, entrepreneurship support, health education and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
They said the initiative would further strengthen women’s economic participation and contribute to inclusive grassroots development across Gombe State.
About The Author
