Government perfects plans for women entrepreneurs to access N150 billion

• Women, heroes of true democracy, says Ugwuanyi

Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Jummai Alhassan yesterday said the Federal Government had released N150 billion for women entrepreneurship development in Nigeria.

Alhassan, who revealed this to newsmen in Jalingo, Taraba State, disclosed that the money was part of the N500 billion Social Protection Fund.

According to her, the fund has been deposited at the Bank of Industry (BoI) for women entrepreneurs to access.

She said out of the fund, N1.6 billion was voted for micro finance scheme for women.

The minister said that sensitization campaign on how to access the fund had already begun and that during her visit to the state, she had sensitized women groups on how to access the facility.

Alhassan also revealed that the National Gender Policy was currently under review to enhance participation of women in all spheres.

She also said that currently 24 out of the 36 states of the federation had domesticated the Child Rights Act.

“The Child Rights Act is a document that sets out the rights and responsibilities of the child in Nigeria and provides for a system of child protection and administration. I hope the remaining states will do that soon.

Meanwhile, Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has described women as “true heroes of democracy”, saying that their support since 1999 has contributed immensely in growing the country’s democracy.

Speaking at the weekend inauguration of a gigantic Women’s House, built by a non-governmental organization, the Women Aid Collective (WACOL), the governor stated that women had not only sacrificed but also continuously advocated peace and tolerance among leaders and their subjects.

He stated that WACOL, a human rights organization founded by a don, Prof. Joy Ezeilo, has excelled in advocacy and other actions aimed at protecting the rights of women and children in the country.

Ugwuanyi noted that WACOL had been able to carve out for itself a reputation as a leader in women and children’s welfare and rights advocacy in Nigeria and indeed in the African continent, pointing out that the construction of the Women’s House which was designed as a facility to attend to women’s and children’s needs, was a testimony to the commitment of the organisation to this noble mission.