From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
The Federal Government has commenced the disbursement of N20, 000 each to 84, 000 identified very poor people in Kano state drawn from 15 Local Government Areas.
This was made known in Kano Sunday evening when the National Coordinator of the National Cash Transfer Office, in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr. Temitope Sinkaiye paid a courtesy visit to Kano state Deputy Governor, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna.
According to her, the gesture was in line with Federal Government’s determination to better the lives of the poor and the vulnerable across the country.
She described the N20, 000 as their monthly stipend to enable them start up small scale businesses to better their lives and that of the members of their families, as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
She added that since the beginning of the Programme two years ago they had not faced any challenge of funding, because the Federal Government has made adequate arrangements through obtaining a loan from the World Bank.
She said the beneficiaries are being tutored on how to use the money to empower themselves through group savings and establishment of small scale businesses.
Dr. Sinkaiye, however, noted that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they sensitize the beneficiaries on how to stay safe and avoid being contaminated by the dreaded virus which has continued to ravage the world.
“We selected few of them across the identified Local Government Areas and observed social distancing so that by the time they go back, they will guide other members of their community how to protect themselves and stay healthy,” she added.
In his remarks, ,Dr.Gawuna commended the Federal Government for the laudable initiative which he said would alleviate poverty especially coming at the time the country is combating COVID-19 pandemic.
He also extolled the efforts of the National Cash Transfer Office for training the beneficiaries on how to tackle poverty.
Gawuna also assured them of the continued cooperation and support of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s administration to the Federal Government policies and programmes aimed towards enhancing the lives of the people.
