Sani Dutsinma
The Special Assistant to the Kebbi State Governor on New Media, Abuzaidu Abubakar Yari, has empowered 250 women and youths in his immediate community with ₦10,000 each to support their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
Speaking at the flag-off of the distribution exercise in the Makera/Illela area of Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, the State Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammad Chika, disclosed that the intervention expanded significantly after donations from philanthropists increased the total fund to ₦6.9 million.
According to the commissioner, his contribution enabled an additional 200 beneficiaries to be included in the programme, while the son of the Kebbi State Governor, Anas Nasir Idris, donated ₦2 million. Other philanthropists, including Alhaji Ghazali Hassan Maccido and Alhaji Abubakar Tuleje, also contributed funds to accommodate 40 more beneficiaries.
Alhaji Chika commended Abuzaidu Abubakar Yari for initiating the empowerment programme, describing it as consistent with the development agenda of Governor Nasir Idris, which encourages political office holders to support their constituents through initiatives that promote trade, entrepreneurship, and economic self-reliance.
He expressed appreciation to the people of Kebbi State for their continued support of the present administration and urged them to sustain the partnership, assuring that the government would continue to deliver democratic dividends across all parts of the state.
In his welcome address, Abuzaidu Abubakar Yari said the programme was designed to complement Governor Nasir Idris’ efforts to improve the welfare of citizens by providing financial support to small-scale traders and entrepreneurs.
He pledged to expand the initiative in the future to accommodate more beneficiaries and urged recipients to make judicious use of the funds to strengthen their businesses and improve their economic well-being.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Malam Zayyanu Umar and Malama Kulu Aliyu expressed gratitude to the organiser for the gesture. They pledged to utilise the grants responsibly and prayed for the continued success of the Kebbi State Government and the nation.