Zamfara empowers 7,500 vulnerable youths with startup capital

The Zamfara State Government has commenced the distribution of startup capital to 7,500 poor and vulnerable youths and small-scale entrepreneurs across the state’s 14 local government areas, as part of efforts to boost economic empowerment and improve livelihoods. Governor Dauda Lawal flagged off the distribution at Tsafe Local Government Area, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to […]

The Zamfara State Government has commenced the distribution of startup capital to 7,500 poor and vulnerable youths and small-scale entrepreneurs across the state’s 14 local government areas, as part of efforts to boost economic empowerment and improve livelihoods.

Governor Dauda Lawal flagged off the distribution at Tsafe Local Government Area, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment and the general wellbeing of residents.

The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Alhaji Kasimu Sani, said the initiative was designed to enhance income generation and promote self-reliance among beneficiaries.

“We are committed to implementing policies and programmes that will boost people’s income, ensure self-determination and help them remain focused towards a better future,” the governor said.

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Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Dr Aliyu Adamu Barmo, said the programme was aligned with the SDGs and that more intervention programmes were in the pipeline. “This is just the beginning. We have several SDGs programmes aimed at improving the welfare of petty traders and empowering those who are yet to be reached,” he said.

According to him, the pilot phase of the programme started with 500 beneficiaries selected from the 11 wards of Tsafe LGA, covering trades such as poultry farming, carpentry, barbering, food vending, tailoring, butchery, grinding machine operation and provision trading. Each beneficiary received N100,000 as startup capital alongside work tools and materials relevant to their trades.

The beneficiaries were urged to utilise the support judiciously, as the government said a total of 7,500 individuals across the state would benefit from the empowerment programme.