Twenty-eight aspiring entrepreneurs from across Jigawa State have received startup grants of ₦2 million each following a three-day entrepreneurship and business development training organized by Dr. Halima Suleiman Zakari under the Nana Halima Empowerment Initiative.

The programme, which focused on business startups, enterprise management, and sustainable growth, concluded with the presentation of certificates and grant cheques worth a total of ₦56 million, providing beneficiaries with the financial foundation to launch and expand their businesses.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Halima Suleiman Zakari described the beneficiaries as members of her family and encouraged them to become entrepreneurs who create solutions rather than merely pursue profits.

She urged them to believe in their abilities, embrace innovation, remain resilient in the face of challenges, and uphold integrity in managing their businesses. According to her, the grants represent a sacred trust that should be nurtured with discipline, honesty, patience, and hard work to build lasting enterprises capable of creating jobs and transforming communities.

Dr. Zakari also reaffirmed that her passion for empowering people extends beyond public service, emphasizing that investing in individuals remains one of the most effective ways to strengthen families, stimulate local economies, and secure a brighter future for the next generation.

The latest intervention adds to the growing impact of the Nana Halima Empowerment Initiative across Jigawa State. Among its notable achievements are the training of 150 beneficiaries in professional makeup artistry with the provision of startup kits, financial support of ₦50,000 each to 85 Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) patients at Jahun VVF Hospital, the construction and renovation of hostel blocks at Federal Government College, Kiyawa at a cost of ₦120 million, the donation of learning materials to 750 pupils, as well as the distribution of food items to vulnerable households during Ramadan and Eid celebrations, amongst others.

Through these interventions, Dr. Halima Suleiman Zakari continues to champion inclusive development by promoting entrepreneurship, expanding educational opportunities, supporting healthcare, and improving the welfare of vulnerable members of society.

The ₦56 million entrepreneurship grant programme stands as another milestone in the Nana Halima Empowerment Initiative’s enduring vision of building self-reliant citizens, fostering economic growth, and creating a lasting legacy of hope and opportunity for the people of Jigawa State.