By Murtala Muhammad
Vulnerable households in Yelwan Duguri community of Alkaleri Local Government Area, Bauchi State, have received small-scale business starter items aimed at improving their economic well-being.
The one hundred and twenty beneficiaries, including fifty Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), were identified and supported by Al-Muhibbah Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Some beneficiaries with disabilities, including Shakura Auwal, Saliha Uba, and Adama Aro, said they received beans, palm oil, frying pans, sieves, and rubber buckets to start their Akara-making businesses.
They expressed joy that the intervention would create sustainable business opportunities and hoped their small-scale enterprises would become a milestone in supporting their families.
Another beneficiary, Maryam Adamu, who received soya beans, palm oil, a sieve, frying pan, and cash, appreciated the initiative, hopping it would grow her business and ease her family’s economic burden.
The State First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed, represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Asma’u Auwal Jatau, urged the beneficiaries to use the items judiciously, assuring them of more empowerment opportunities.
UNFPA’s Disability, Diversity, and Inclusion Analyst, Mrs Olawunmi Laolu-Akande, said the initiative aimed to promote inclusive access to reproductive health, GBV prevention, and livelihood support for PWDs.
She described economic and social empowerment for persons with disabilities as vital for resilience and self-determination and pledged continued UNFPA support for gender-inclusive government policies and programmes.
Radio Nigeria reports that the event featured goodwill messages from the Coordinator Al-muhibbah Foundation, Zahra’u Baba Executive Secretary of the State Agency for Persons With Disabilities, Ms Brisca Aaron, and the Director-General of SDGs, Mrs Lydia Shehu, among other dignitaries.
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