By Abdullahi Adamu Gusau
A group, Zamfara state Self Reliant Women Association has collaborated with business community to alleviate poverty among women in the state.
Indeed, the association has so far given soft loans to over 70,000 women and youths to start micro businesses across the state.
In an interview with SINL Nigeria Online in Gusau, Chairperson of the association, Hajiya Suwaiba Aliyu Mada said the association have over 20,000 registered members who through financial contributions give soft loans to needy women and youths to start up businesses to enable them become self reliant.
She explained that the operational scope of the association cover the fourteen local government areas of the state.
Hajiya Mada stressed that the association had for a long time been playing significant role in assisting women and youths to become self employed to reduce poverty level in the state.
She disclosed that the association had in the process given 150 motorcycles and 40 tricycles to the state chapter of commercial Motorcyclists association for business purposes.
The Chairperson further stated that the association aim to discourage women from indolence and begging in the society by assisting them to become self reliant.
She added that the response of the beneficiaries was commendable, saying it has encouraged them to partner with the business community to evolve additional ways of reaching out to those who deserve assistance.
She expressed optimism that with the support and motivation from the state government and other relevant stakeholders, the scheme will achieve tremendous success in accomplishing its goals.
She therefore urged the state Governor, Dauda Lawal to involve the association in the implementation of government’s social welfare and intervention programmes to enable it play effective complementary role based on practical experience.
