A total of 165 women in Andoni Local Government Area have benefited from the council’s cash donation to boost their petty businesses.

The beneficiaries, comprising 15 women from each of the 11 wards of the LGA, carefully selected for the programme, went home with a sum of N100,000 each.

Speaking during the empowerment program held at Ngo town, headquarters of the Local Government Area, Surv. Atajit Francis said the initiative is part of his administration’s efforts to “promote self-reliance among women and economic development in the area.”

Represented by the Secretary to Council, Dr. Jackson Sariguma, the Andoni Local Government Administrator, urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the funds to grow their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

Francis also called on companies operating within the LGA and well-meaning individuals from the area to lend support to women’s empowerment or ventures that could enhance their development.

Also speaking, the Head of Local Government Administration, Mr Emmanuel Eke, congratulated the beneficiaries and assured them that the council will fulfil every aspect of the empowerment program, including the provision of funds, which will be credited to their accounts on a ward-to-ward basis.

A beneficiary from Ward 5, Rawlings Owaji-Ubong, who spoke on behalf of others, expressed appreciation to Francis for the empowerment programme, describing it as impactful.