The Ogun State Government has disbursed N200m to eradicate poverty and empower women in the state.
In a statement on Tuesday by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the governor, Mrs. Funmi Wakama, stated that Governor Ibikunle Amosun said the micro-credit empowerment programme was to promote gender equality.
According to him, it is necessary to bridge the gap between the upper and lower class of the populace through various empowerment initiatives.
He said, "The scheme will serve as a great stride in our attainment of some objectives of the Millennium Development Goals, particularly eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, and equally, goal three and eight respectively.
"This is in form of promotion of gender equality and empowering women. It will also help to develop a global partnership for development."
Amosun, however, advised the 5000 beneficiaries to ensure prompt repayment of the loan facility to encourage the government to double the credit facility from N200m to about N500m which would involve about 10,000 beneficiaries.
"Beneficiaries must realise that you are to commit yourself to responsible fund utilisation system and keep to strict repayment schedule.
"We have subsidised the interest rate payable on the loan to just one-digit level to ease repayment," he said.
The statement also quoted the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Elizabeth Sonubi, as saying that the micro-credit initiative was implemented to prove the importance of women in nation building.
She said, "This scheme is being implemented to clearly prove the fact that women play a crucial role, especially in agriculture, business, politics and even at the traditional level. Women are potent force to reckon with in the scheme of things, worldwide."
