BY: John Bassey, Gusau.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), through the Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience (CPCRR) Programme, funded by the European Union’s Foreign Policy Instruments (EU-FPI) has distributed business start-up kits, including grinding machines, sewing machines and other essential equipment, to 50 beneficiaries drawn from four wards in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The distribution, held on Tuesday at the Skills Acquisition Centre in Gusau, formed part of the organization’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Protection component of the Programme aimed at strengthening livelihoods and promoting peace through economic empowerment.
Speaking at the ceremony, the IOM/MHPSS Protection Team Leader said the intervention reflects the organization’s commitment to supporting the Zamfara State Government’s efforts to address the root causes of conflict through poverty reduction and sustainable livelihood initiatives.
The team leader noted that empowering women economically would strengthen families, reduce school dropout rates among children and help address other social challenges capable of undermining community development.
He explained that the beneficiaries received the start-up kits free of charge after completing a two-day entrepreneurship training designed to equip them with the skills needed to establish and manage small businesses in their communities.
“We are not giving you these start-up kits to sell. We are giving them to you to become self-employed and contribute meaningfully to the economic development of your communities,” he said.
Also speaking, the Director of Women Affairs at the Zamfara State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajara Sani Abubakar, commended IOM for its continued support to the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal in promoting women’s economic empowerment.
She described women as key agents of peacebuilding and community development, noting that 46 of the 50 beneficiaries were women.
“What we have witnessed today gives women renewed hope to become active contributors to the economy. This intervention will improve livelihoods and strengthen peace at the grassroots,” she said.
Abubakar urged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the equipment to improve their businesses and support the welfare of their families.
In separate remarks, the District Heads of Mayana, Gada Biyu, Madawaki and Damba communities described the intervention as timely and impactful, expressing appreciation to IOM for prioritizing women and vulnerable households in its livelihood support programmes.
