Bauchi Rural Women Generates ₦700 Million in Three Years
Country Project Manager MEDA Nigeria, Ms Grace Fosen receiving an award of excellence. Photo: Murtala Muhammad
By Murtala Muhammad
The Rural Women trained by Mennonite Economic Development Associates, MEDA Nigeria WAY Project in Bauchi State on Agribusiness have generated over ₦700 million through the Savings and Loans Groups, SLGs in the last three year.
The Country Project Manager of MEDA Nigeria, Ms Grace Fosen stated this at an event to mark the close out of the project in Bauchi.
MEDA Nigeria WAY Project has from 2017 to date encouraged youth entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment in Northern Nigeria.
Ms Grace Fosen said MEDA has in the seven implementation local government areas of the state identified and successfully registered 294 Small-Scale Businesses SSBs, within the last seven years.
She noted that the project set up a network of over 509 SLGs across 443 beneficiary communities.
According to her, MEDA Nigeria WAY project has supported the creation and establishment of the first women owned Microfinance Institution in Bauchi state, tagged the Women in Business Financial Institution WIBFin.
The Country Project Manager, also said seven Empowerment Learning Centers ELCs were set up across the seven-project benefitting LGAs of Bauchi, Dass, Ganjuwa, Jama’are, Katagum, Toro and Warji.
Ms Grace Fosen explained that the project has provided technical assistance to over 16,000 clients, offering expert guidance and support to help them improve their skills in environmentally sustainable practices for women and youth-owned businesses.
Speaking, Wife of the Bauchi State Governor, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed said the government was appreciative of the intervention provided by MEDA Nigeria WAY project and assured of sustainability.
While sharing their stories, some of the beneficiaries, Amina Bala Jibril, Suzana Kelvin and Wasila Husaini have testified that MEDA Nigeria WAY project has positively touched their lives in both social and economic aspects.
