The Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Sunday Steve Karimi, in a conscious effort to boost women’s economic empowerment in his constituency, has disbursed a whopping N100 million to 50 women’s cooperative societies across the seven Local Government Areas of Kogi West.

The empowerment initiative, which fulfils one of the Senator’s key campaign promises, is designed to strengthen small-scale businesses, enhance livelihoods, and promote self-reliance among women.

As part of the programme, each of the 50 women’s cooperative societies received approximately N2 million to support and grow their businesses. Beneficiaries were drawn from all three federal constituencies of Kogi West—Yagba, Lokoja/Koton-Karfe, and Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu—ensuring wide coverage and inclusivity across the senatorial district.

In addition to the financial empowerment, the program featured an intensive business management and entrepreneurship training, which was attended by over 550 women from the benefiting cooperative societies.

The training focused on essential skills such as small business management, financial literacy, record keeping, and sustainable investment strategies. It was aimed at ensuring that beneficiaries use the funds judiciously and grow their enterprises in a sustainable and impactful manner.

The Senator’s wife, Mrs. Stellamaris Karimi, played a central role in coordinating engagements with beneficiaries and advocating for women’s empowerment across the district.

Meanwhile, the collation for this year’s women cooperative empowerment is currently ongoing, and as soon as all is done, the second tranche of women empowerment will be implemented.