The Bauchi State Commission for Youths and Women Rehabilitation ( BACYWARD ) says it will distribute empowerment kits worth N1.5 billion to women in Small and Medium Scale businesses across the state.
The commission Chairman, Mr Ahmed Faruq, made this known on Thursday during the graduation ceremony of 800 women and youths in skill acquisition programme in Bauchi.
The programme was organised by the Future Assured Initiative for Youths and Women.
Future Assured is the humanitarian pet project of Mrs Aisha Buhari, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The initiative has trained women and youths in various trades including Tie and Dye, Pastry making, Spaghetti and Couscous making among others for a duration of one week.
Faruq said that the initiate was aimed at boosting the economic activities of women in such businesses.
“The commission has received approval of the governor for partnership with Jaiz Bank under which more than N1.5 billion worth of empowerment kits will be distributed to women across 20 local government areas.
“This is in realisation that 80 per cent of small businesses are carried out by women, and no economy will wax stronger without the active participation of small businesses,’’ he said.
Faruq said that the commission has also registered 2,000 youths and women for the O/level examinations, while another 2,000 were sponsored into various diploma and computer programmes.
In his remarks, Gov. Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi, lauded the efforts of wife of the President on empowerment of women.
Abubakar said that the state government has designed numerous programmes for women and youths to be self-reliance.