The Benue state Commissioner for Cooperatives and Rural Development, Mrs. Joy Luga, Monday, stated that 27,600 women will benefit from the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) grant and other soft loans to empower women in the state.
He stated this in Makurdi saying it was in line with the governor’s Strategic Development Plan and message of the 2024 International Women’s Day.
She appreciated the governor for providing funds to be disbursed to women across the state.
The commissioner added that the ministry had commenced training of women in various skills and would offer soft loans to them after the training which includes fashion/hair designing, beads making, beauty and cosmetics, soap, detergent making, ICT training etc.
She added that the loans would range from, one hundred thousand to two hundred thousand naira per individual.
She said the Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development, have mapped out modalities on how to empower the women in the society.
The commissioner said the essence of training the women is to ensure that they make proper use of the loans, so as to become more useful to their families and immediate communities.
She said the training and empowerment for men would be done at the appropriate time, adding that the ministry has a lot to do for the people of Benue state, including the girl child.
“We have trained women in cooperatives and associations to give them soft loans that will lift them from the poor level they are, to at least, a higher level that they can stand and say they are living better than they were before.
“We have trained them in various areas and we are about giving money to them any moment from now.
“His Excellency, the executive governor of Benue state, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, is not relenting, and has ensured that money is available to be disbursed to the women,” she said.
