The Federal Government has said 37,000 women will receive Point of Sales (POS) machines as part of the government’s empowerment scheme.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, disclosed this on Thursday, in a statement, on her X handle.
Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye said the 37,000 POS machines would be distributed through the Senior Special Assistants to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagements representing the six geo-political zones of the country.
The Minister of Women Affairs, who had a collaborative meeting with the SSAs on Community Engagements, described them as foot soldiers.
She stated that the SSAs would monitor to ensure that funds allocated to women and children are utilized appropriately by donor and nongovernmental organizations.
Giving details of her meeting with the SSAs, Mrs Kennedy-Ohanenye said, “The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, has collaborated with the Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) on Community Engagement to the President to enhance grassroots empowerment and combat ineffective advocacy and consultancy.
“The representatives including, Abiodun Essiet (North Central), Abdulilah Yakasai (North West), Davis Ojeme (South East), and Nuru Nyaku (North East), engaged in a productive discussion on re-strategizing community engagement to reach the most vulnerable populations.
“I emphasized the need to shift focus from advocacy and consultancy to empowering women, as they constitute 70% of Nigeria’s population, including children. Effective empowerment can lead to a better Nigeria. This collaboration aims to ensure donors and NGOs utilize funds allocated to women and children appropriately. The SSAs will serve as ‘foot soldiers’ to monitor progress in their respective communities.
“The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, will disburse 37,000 POS machines to communities, channeled through the SSAs, to facilitate empowerment initiatives.”