Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, SAN, representing Borno Central Senatorial District, has flagged off the fifth phase of his empowerment and capacity-building programme for women and youths across the district.
The three-day empowerment and skills acquisition workshop, which marks the senator’s fifth intervention in the last three years, is expected to benefit 480 women and youths drawn from communities within Borno Central.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Senator Lawan said the programme was designed to promote inclusive development, economic self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods by equipping beneficiaries with practical skills and financial support.
Under the initiative, each of the 480 beneficiaries is to receive a cash grant of N100,000 to boost their businesses and trades, bringing the total investment in the phase to over N50 million.
The senator said the empowerment scheme was part of his broader commitment to improving the socio-economic wellbeing of his constituents, particularly women and young people, whom he described as critical drivers of development.
He recalled that previous phases of the programme had empowered thousands of beneficiaries through the provision of vocational equipment and financial support, including tricycles (Keke Napep), mini trucks for commercial activities, grinding machines, refrigerators, sewing machines and direct cash grants.
Senator Lawan also highlighted his legislative intervention in sponsoring a bill for the establishment of the University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Bama, which has been approved and is currently under construction. He noted that the Borno State Government, under Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, mni, has committed N1 billion to support the take-off of the institution.
Earlier, the legislative aide to the senator, Mr Usman Alkali, said the empowerment programme was sponsored by Senator Lawan to complement the development initiatives and strategic vision of the Zulum administration, in line with the Borno State 25-Year Development Plan.
The event was attended by the member representing Maiduguri Metropolitan Council in the Borno State House of Assembly, Hon. A. Kotoko, as well as the APC State Secretary, APC Chairman of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, the party’s State Publicity Secretary and other party stakeholders.
