BY TAIBAT UMMI YAKUBU

No fewer than 500 women in Kurfi Local Government Area of Katsina State have received financial support to start or strengthen their businesses following a ₦5 million empowerment initiative organised by Hajiya Fatima Dauda Kurfi, Director of Finance of Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A).

Each beneficiary received ₦10,000 during the distribution exercise held on Wednesday at the Kurfi Local Government Secretariat, in what the organiser described as an effort to improve women's economic conditions and promote self-reliance.

Speaking during the programme, Fatima Dauda Kurfi said the initiative was driven by the commitment of President Bola Tinubu and Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, to improving the welfare of women and expanding their economic opportunities.

She urged the beneficiaries to invest the money in small-scale businesses and other productive ventures, stressing that the objective was to enable them to build sustainable sources of income rather than treat the funds as ordinary financial assistance.

Fatima expressed hope that the beneficiaries would make effective use of the opportunity to establish businesses, grow their capital and improve their families' living conditions.

The wife of the Katsina State Governor, Hajiya Zulaihat Dikko Radda, who was represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Hajiya Asma'u Farouq Lawal Jobe, commended the initiative and praised Fatima Dauda Kurfi for extending the support to 500 women in her local government area.

She described women's economic empowerment as an investment that goes beyond the individual beneficiaries, noting that financially empowered women contribute directly to stronger families, better communities and national development.

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"Empowering women is not just about providing assistance; it is an investment in families, communities and the development of the nation," she said.

She explained that providing women with opportunities to engage in economic activities could improve household welfare, support young people and contribute to the growth of the national economy.

According to her, the initiative also reflects the importance of inclusive governance and the need to ensure that women are not excluded from government efforts to improve living standards and create economic opportunities.

She called on the beneficiaries to treat the money as business capital and use it to build sustainable enterprises capable of improving their livelihoods and securing a better future for their families.

The Chairman of Kurfi Local Government Area, Alhaji Babangida Abdullahi, delivered the welcome address at the event.

Other dignitaries present included Hajiya Dada Bala Batsari, Alhaji Abubakar Tsanni and the Dan Masanin Kurfi.