In a bid to improve small-scale trading, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State on Wednesday empowered street hawkers, totaling 465, with a capital of N50,000 each drawn from nine clusters within Kano metropolis.
This was made known in a statement made available to newsmen by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, at an event that was held at Coronation Hall, Government House.
The groups of the beneficiaries are known to specialise in hawking car decorations, accessories, kitchen utensils among others as they could be seen hovering around street junctions in the determination to earn a decent living conveniently while avoiding the reckless path of crimes, violence or drug addiction.
Delivering his address, Governor Yusuf said the empowerment was borne out of the priority his administration accords to vulnerable groups, especially youth and women, by improving their various trade and skills through occasional intervention for life sustenance.
The governor noted that recently, Kano State empowered 5,200 women with N50,000 each, which is equivalent to N26 million, and the initiative had started yielding positive results as the socio-economic status of the beneficiaries has increased.
Governor Yusuf said the beneficiaries are “patriots who through thick and thin faced the challenges of poverty and deprivation by treading the path of honor, dignity and respect
Notwithstanding the little turnover they make everyday from their undertakings, they saved the little they earn over the years and succeed in supporting their parents, relatives, establish families and even pursue educational dreams, the governor explained.
He urged them to make judicious utilization of the fund given to them to expand their respective businesses so that it will generate positive multiplier effect in the economy of the state.
