By Muhammad Gazali Garba

The First Lady of Sokoto State, Fatima Aliyu, has called for increased support for women and other vulnerable members of society.
   
Speaking over the weekend while flagging off the distribution of cash assistance and food items to women and vulnerable groups across the state, Mrs Aliyu said the intervention underscored the commitment of Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration to improving the welfare and livelihoods of the less privileged.
   
According to her, the initiative is designed to provide immediate relief to vulnerable households while empowering beneficiaries with start-up capital for small businesses to enable them to become self-reliant and improve their standard of living.She explained that the programme is one of several humanitarian interventions undertaken by her office to support women, widows, persons living with disabilities and other disadvantaged members of society.
   
The first lady noted that the state government has introduced several similar programmes to cushion the country’s economic hardship, including the interventions under Mrs Oluremi Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative.
   
Mrs Aliyu urged beneficiaries to make prudent use of the support by investing in productive ventures capable of improving their livelihoods and promoting self-reliance. She further assured residents that the state government would continue to prioritise women, children and other vulnerable groups through sustained empowerment and social intervention programmes.
  
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Asabe Balarabe, described the initiative as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of vulnerable groups and ensuring that no one is left behind.
   
Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Maryam Dimas, noted that the welfare package came at a critical time as many people, especially the widows, orphans, the elderly, persons living with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, were struggling with the economic hardship.
   
Equally speaking, the All Progressives Congress North-West Zonal Women Leader, Hadiza Alhaji, described the gesture as an impactful humanitarian and women empowerment initiative, expressing confidence that beneficiaries would use the support to expand their businesses, improve their livelihoods and cater to their families.