Poverty alleviation: Yusuf rolls out N260m women start-up capital

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has vowed to reduce the scourge of poverty and unemployment, pledging to boost the economic empowerment of women in the state.

Yusuf made this commitment, yesterday while flagging off the distribution of another N260 million monthly empowerment facilities to indigent women at Coronation Hall, Kano.

The governor expressed worry over the poverty index, which indicated a 62 per cent poverty rate in Kano with 10.5 million people below the multi-dimensional poverty line. He added that his administration would go the extra mile to reverse the ugly trend.

To mitigate the poor status, Yusuf said his administration initiated N50,000 each to 5,200 women monthly to boost small-scale businesses and enterprises in Kano. He reaffirmed the monthly start-up facility which was unveiled in May 2024 is free of any collateral or interest attached.

The governor stressed that beyond the economic empowerment, the N260 million monthly start-up funds are part of the fulfilment of his campaign promises hinged on breaking the circle of poverty, improving socioeconomic well-being and human capital development.

He added that the government is equally investing significant resources in youth and women skill acquisition, entrepreneurship, wealth and job creation, as well as urban renewal.

The governor, however, cautioned the beneficiaries on judicious use of the money, insisting it is not meant to be given to their husbands or used for ceremonial purposes.

“Since May 2024, our administration has empowered 48,600 indigent women, boosting micro-economic growth of our rural communities with the monthly distribution of N50,000 each to 5,200 women randomly selected across the 44 local councils of Kano State.”