From Maawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
United Nations Development (UNDP) and the West African Network for Peace Building (WANEP) in collaboration with the Katsina state government have distributed empowerment items to women in Katsina State.
The distribution of the items was under the initiative “Peace Architecture for Peacebuilding and Prevention in Strengthening Community in Katsina.
Our correspondent reports that about 300 women from Faskari and Kaita local government areas of the state have benefited from the assistance.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Dikko Umar Radda commended UNDP and WANER for enhancing the livelihood of the beneficiaries.
Radda noted the measures will assist the beneficiaries in becoming self-reliant.
He warned against selling the items but used them to generate income.
Earlier, State Commissioner of Women Affairs, Zainab Musa Musawa listed the items to include a grinding machine, rice processing machine, sewing machine, sprayer, and fertiliser among others.
“The beneficiaries from cooperative groups to enhance agricultural activities and improve livelihood, especially to those with insecurity problem, ”Zainab added.
The Commissioner said the ministry in collaboration with UNDP and WANER will monitor the utilisation of the items by beneficiaries.
In her speech, National Coordinator WANEP, Dr Bridget Osakwe lamented how insecurity affected livelihood especially women and vulnerable groups in North West States.
Osakwe said the assistance to women is aimed at the empowerment of women in agriculture to achieve sustainable development and food security.
“The cornerstone of this intervention is the focus on the agriculture value chain, including the provision of fertilizers and farming equipment and tools,” she said.
She commended the state government for supporting the programme.
