Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, has revealed that more than N3 billion has been allocated to support 54,000 women under the Individual Livelihood Grants as part of the Nigeria For Women Project.
She made the announcement during the flag-off of the Livelihood Collective Operational and the official handing over of Livelihood Collective Groups to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development at the Obas Complex in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Salako-Oyedele explained that the initiative is designed to eliminate barriers hindering women’s participation in economic activities, allowing them to contribute more significantly to nation-building.
As the Chairman of the Steering Committee for the Nigeria for Women Project in Ogun, she noted that over 3,700 Affinity Groups had been formed, with more than 67,000 women from Ijebu North-East, Odeda, Yewa North, and Ikenne Local Government Areas benefiting from the program.
Additionally, the Deputy Governor announced that 61 Collectives, comprising 11,000 Women Affinity Group members, have been established. These women are engaged in agricultural and non-agricultural initiatives and have undergone training in business skills, financial education, gender awareness, and life skills, all of which have equipped them to tackle gender-based challenges and adopt modern entrepreneurial practices.
Under Salako-Oyedele’s leadership, the state government has also disbursed over N3 billion in individual livelihood grants to 54,000 women, further empowering them to improve their economic prospects. She added that the creation of over 11,000 WAG members involved in agricultural and non-agricultural programs reflects the ongoing efforts to support women’s participation in economic development.
Salako-Oyedele also highlighted the success of the Nigeria for Women Project as a key driver behind the state’s fulfillment of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s pledge to empower women leaders. Under the Oko’owo Dapo program, more than 100,000 additional women have benefitted from similar initiatives across the state, according to Daily Post.
Acknowledging the vital role of women as caregivers and economic contributors, the Deputy Governor said the project would hand over 61 collective groups and hubs to the Ministry of Women Affairs. These include rice processing hubs, maize storage and marketing hubs, cassava processing hubs, and tailoring hubs.
The deputy governor said: “The Nigeria for Women Project has formed over 3,700 Affinity Groups and over 67,000 women across Ijebu North-East, Odeda, Yewa North, and Ikenne Local Government Areas.
“To further remove the barriers limiting women’s economic participation, the state government disbursed over N3 billion in individual livelihood grants to 54,000 women in April 2022.
“Under my leadership as the Chairperson of the State Steering Committee for the Nigeria for Women Project, we have established 61 Collectives comprising over 11,000 WAG members engaged in agricultural and non-agricultural programs across Ijebu North-East, Odeda, and Yewa North Local Government.”
