The Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food security and Cereals Research Institute, Badegi Niger state, in collaboration with KhalidTech Global Concept Ltd., have empowered over 200 artisans and petty traders at Ageva community in Okene local government area of Kogi state.
Speaking during the programme held at Ebira Muslim Community College Okengwe, Okene LGA on Friday, the representative of the federal government and the executive director, Nigerian Cereal Research institute, Badegi, Mr. Lukman Bello, commended the federal government for bringing the programme to the people at the grassroots.
He said the empowerment programme aimed at providing practical support to artisans and petty traders through the provision of essential tools and equipment also included scholarship support to some students in tertiary institutions from the area was sponsored by the federal government.
“The tools and equipment given out to beneficiaries at the event in line with their trade included, sewing machine, grinding machine, ladies salon kit, barbing salon kit and vulcanising machine.
“The empowerment also included provision of cash to petty traders and scholarship support to some students from the area. I am urging the beneficiaries to make good use of the items to improve their standard of living,” he said.
In his remarks, Mr. Adekanye Olaitan, who represented the Federal Ministry of Special Duties, commended the initiative, noting that the programme “will help create job opportunities and ensure the economic advancement of the area.”
Responding, on behalf of the community, Ibrahim Kadoka, thanked the federal government for bringing the programme to the area for the benefit of the downtrodden and also commended the member representing Okene/Ogori-Magonogo federal constituency at the National Assembly for facilitating the programme for his constituents.