About 250 residents of Zaria Local Government Area have benefited from financial support aimed at improving livelihoods and redu...
About 250 residents of Zaria Local Government Area have benefited from financial support aimed at improving livelihoods and reducing the level of poverty within the area.
The empowerment initiative was designed to cushion the effects of economic hardship and promote self-reliance through targeted financial assistance to residents.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held at the Zaria Local Government Secretariat, the Chairman of the council, Engineer Jamil Ahmad Muhammad (JAGA), said the programme was the second phase of a financial empowerment scheme initiated by his administration to support vulnerable groups and small-scale entrepreneurs.
Engineer Jaga explained that the council had earlier disbursed similar financial assistance to another set of 250 beneficiaries, including women, youths and persons with disabilities, as part of efforts to promote entrepreneurship, skills development and productive engagement among residents.
According to him, beneficiaries in the current phase received varying amounts of ₦500,000, ₦250,000 and ₦100,000, depending on the nature of their businesses and needs.
He commended Governor Uba Sani for creating an enabling environment that supports grassroots development and economic empowerment across Kaduna State, noting that the state government’s policies have continued to positively impact the lives of ordinary citizens.
The council chairman also appealed for sustained support for the APC-led administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, assuring residents that more development-oriented initiatives were in the pipeline to deliver additional dividends of democracy.
In his remarks, Iliyasu Balarabe, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, praised the Zaria Local Government Chairman for the empowerment initiative, describing it as a practical step toward addressing poverty at the grassroots level.
He also commended Governor Uba Sani and Speaker Abbas Tajudeen for their commitment to people-oriented programmes, saying their leadership continues to inspire inclusive development and economic empowerment across Kaduna State and beyond.
Iliyasu Balarabe urged beneficiaries to utilise the funds judiciously to grow their businesses, create employment opportunities and contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of their communities.
Some beneficiaries who spoke during the event expressed gratitude to the local government and the state leadership for the support, describing the assistance as timely and impactful.
One of the beneficiaries said the financial support would help expand her small business and improve her family’s living conditions, while others pledged to make proper use of the funds to achieve sustainable livelihoods.
The beneficiaries assured the council of their support and cooperation, promising to serve as ambassadors of positive change by using the empowerment opportunity to uplift themselves and their communities.
No comments