At least 150 individuals, mostly women and farmers from Kangiwa Ward in Katsina Local Government Area, were empowered on Sunday by the Katsina State Ministry of Women Affairs.
The initiative aims not only to assist with sustenance but also to encourage beneficiaries to start businesses and secure a source of income for a better livelihood.
Items distributed included bags of rice, millet, sugar, and fertilisers, along with grinding and groundnut oil extraction machines.
The State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hadiza Yar’Adua, while distributing the items at the Katsina Multipurpose Women Centre, urged beneficiaries to make good use of them.
She also called on them to turn out in large numbers to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship candidate in the forthcoming local government elections.
“This empowerment is not new. I started this last year in my ward in Katsina Local Government Area to help women with feeding and business support.
“Last year, I personally empowered 50 women with Awara-making and pledged to continue every three months.
“For this second phase, we have expanded it, empowering 120 women and 30 men with fertiliser bags in preparation for the farming season.
“This is my little way of giving back to my ward and community.
“I urge women, men, and youth to come out en masse and vote for our APC local government chairmanship candidate, Isah Miqdad.
“We are confident of an APC victory but will not take it for granted. We want to demonstrate that our leaders are chosen by the people,” she stated.