Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri on Thursday launched the second phase of the Fintiri Business Wallet, a women empowerment initiative aimed at lifting 10,000 women out of poverty. Each beneficiary will receive N50,000 to start or expand their businesses.
The scheme, part of the government's 8-point agenda, has so far empowered 10,000 women with a similar grant.
Speaking at the venue of the event, at Mahmud Ribadu Square Yola, the governor emphasized the importance of empowering women as a catalyst for economic growth and social development.
In addition to the grant, the Governor said that the government will provide business training and support services to the beneficiaries.
Governor Fintiri also announced the procurement of 31 new buses to improve public transportation and alleviate transportation challenges faced by residents, especially students.
The buses have been distributed to all the tertiary institutions in the state and for public transportation in some selected LGAs.
The Governor announced that Adamawa State University Mubi will receive four of the 74-capacity luxury buses, Modibbo Adamawa University Yola four, College of Education Hong two, Federal College of Education Yola two, Adamawa State Polytechnic two, College For Legal Studies Yola one, College of Agric Ganye two, College of Health and Technology Michika two, Federal Polytechnic Mubi two.
Nine of the buses have been handed to Adamawa Transport Company to be operated in the state capital and other LGAs.
The governor further revealed plans to recruit more civil servants following the recent resolution on the new minimum wage.
The Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Balthiya Wesley, described the empowerment scheme as "Fintiri magic." He said the empowerment scheme and the school buses were aimed at improving the well-being of the citizenry. He lauded the Governor for empowering thousands of youth and women while commending the DG of PAWECA for ensuring the empowerment program's success.
Commissioner for Entrepreneurship Development, Hammajumba Gatugel, said the scheme selected beneficiaries from various women's groups in Adamawa to establish micro-businesses. He added that micro-businesses are essential for economic growth in rural communities.
Speaking on behalf of the Local Government Area Chairmen, the State ALGON Chairman and Chairman of Toungo LGA, Hon. Sulaiman Ahmed Gangkuba, thanked Governor Fintiri for enabling the selection of beneficiaries from the local government areas, which he said was a testament to the transparent selection process.
The Director-General of the Adamawa State Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation Agency (PAWECA), Dr. Michael Zira Wadaragwo, disclosed that over 20,000 youths and women had been trained in various youth empowerment programs under his agency in the state. He announced his agency's plan to collaborate with the private sector to reduce the financial burden on the government and to additionally employ graduate participants who would assist in welding, carpentry work, and other public infrastructure projects.
Speaking on behalf of the 10,000 women beneficiaries, Doris Danladi of CAN Women Wing, Maimuna Aliyu of FOMWAN, and Hadiza Yahaya of people living with disabilities thanked Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for selecting women to benefit from the poverty alleviation scheme. They assured him that they would use the money to start and expand their businesses.