Women deserve more space to actualise their ambition – Shettima
The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has advocated for a conducive business environment for Nigerian women to ply their trade, saying the nation owes them an economy worthy of their labour. He noted that women should be given more space for their ambition to flourish, unlike in the past when they carried heavy responsibilities with limited […]
Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for a more supportive business environment for Nigerian women, emphasizing that the nation owes them an economy that matches their labor. He urged the granting of greater space for women's ambitions to flourish, contrasting the current situation with past circumstances where women faced heavy burdens and limited resources for their businesses.
During a ceremony in Katsina that marked the disbursement of funds for the Community Investment Fund (CIF) women's empowerment and financial inclusion initiative, Shettima inaugurated 32 compressed natural gas-powered buses and 200 electric tricycles under the Katsina State Comprehensive Urban Renewal Programme, as well as completed road projects aimed at enhancing connectivity and urban mobility.
He highlighted that the CIF fund disbursement addresses a critical issue: how much prosperity has been delayed by expecting women to achieve success with minimal capital. Over 40,000 women in Katsina are eligible to receive business capital upon meeting eligibility criteria and demonstrating satisfactory performance in savings and group activities.
Shettima argued that women should inherit their mothers' determination without inheriting the obstacles they faced. He emphasized that empowering women is crucial, as witnessing a business grow within their own households teaches girls that skill can yield income and ambition can endure adversity. Shettima reiterated that the government owes women an economy that reflects their efforts, noting that they have shouldered heavy responsibilities with limited means.
The CIF program requires training, as money needs knowledge and organization to yield lasting results. Katsina State Governor Malam Dikko Radda pledged an additional N4 billion to the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up, bringing the state’s total commitment to N8 billion. He stressed that the program's launch expands economic opportunities for women, ultimately aiming to improve their livelihoods.
World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mr. Matthew Verghis, noted that Nigerian women are already contributing significantly across various sectors and underscored the importance of deliberate action to close gender gaps.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Trust's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
