Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie lkpeazu has reassured that the present administration will continue to support and partner Agencies, NGOS and Corporate Bodies in all its efforts aimed at projecting, protecting and promoting the cause of women and women hood.
Dr lkpeazu who gave the assurance while flagging off the Individual Livelihoods Grant Disbursement to members of Affinity Groups across the three LGAs of Obingwa, Isiala Ngwa North and Ohafia held at the International Conference Centre, Ogurube layout, Umuahia said the the commitment to improving the livelihoods of women in the State underscored the reason for embracing the Nigeria For Women Project with the desired seriousness manifested by the release and payment of the first and second tranches of counterpart funds for the project.
The Governor represented by his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu said it is heartwarming that the steps taken by Government facilitated the attainment of the project’s target numbers of Women Affinity Groups, WAGS of 50,000 out of the 54,000 recommended by World Bank, acknowledged that the result of the project is already manifesting in the lives of women in the target Local Govt Areas of the State.
He expressed gratitude to the Federal Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs for the wonderful and innovative initiative,as well as the World Bank for the support towards the success of the project and charged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the disbursements extended to them.
In her address, the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen represented by the Director, Planning and Research, Dr Joseph congratulated the beneficiaries for utilizing the funds in the well thought out project by the federal Government to improve the well being of women across the country and urged them to increase and improve their business.
Speaking also, the National Project Coordinator of NFWP, Mrs Ruth Peter Shelia who said about women benefiting from the project across the five States of the country have been able to save over 1.5 billion naira from their savings and commended the State Govt for being one of the first States to pay it’s 500 million Naria counterpart funds.
In her address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Deaconess Rose Nna Urenta represented by the Permanent Secretary, The Very Rev Jane Omereonye said over 11,000 women beneficiaries will be reached out in the first tranche with each beneficiary receiving 60,000 naira to start new businesses or expand existing ones, while additional beneficiaries will be reached during the year.
Similarly, the Executive Secretary and State World Bank Projects Anchor, Dr Mrs Nnenna Chikezie observed that NFWP anchored on the platform of coordination, implementation has succeeded in giving women financial education, social capital, confidence and self esteem called for extension of the program as well as a retreat for women to improve their livelihood and lauded the gender sensitive Governor, the Deputy Governor and the wife of the Governor for supporting and encouraging the success of the project.
The ceremony which featured success stories of the project in the 3 Local Govt Areas of Obingwa, Isiala Ngwa North and Ohafia by their representatives attracted the presence of the wife of the Governor, Dr Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu represented by her Principal Secretary, Chief Mrs Love Ezema, top Government Officials, Traditional Rulers, various women groups across the State and Nation.
