Mubarak Shuaybu Shelleng
By Hussaini Hammangabdo
Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has again launched a N2 billion empowerment program where N50,000 each is disbursed to 40,000 beneficiaries across the 226 wards of Adamawa State under the Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation Agency (PAWECA).
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy Professor Kaletapha at the event held at the Banquet Hall of the government House, Yola said the program
seeks to uplift the less privileged, strengthen small-scale businesses, and foster a trade-friendly environment that encourages entrepreneurship at all levels.
Farauta explained that, so far, over 100,000 citizens have benefitted directly from the Fintiri Business Wallet, each receiving N50,000 to invest in their businesses. Rigorous monitoring and evaluation have revealed tangible impacts: the state’s poverty rate has dropped significantly from 74% to 64%, and the GDP has experienced measurable growth.
Governor Fintiri assured that another 5 billion naira would be disbursed to 100,000 beneficiaries in the next phase of the empowerment, expected before the end of 2025.
” Financial stability to our mothers automatically translates to family stability.
“It means more food on the table; more nutrition, more health; more children in schools; and a better society.
“This year, we plan to disburse another 7 billion Naira through this wallet. Beginning from today, this series would disburse the sum of 2 billion to 40,000 beneficiaries, while another 5 billion naira would be disbursed to 100,000 beneficiaries before the end of 2025.
According to her, the Ministry of Entrepreneurship Development and PAWECA have been mandated to follow up on each beneficiary to provide the necessary entrepreneurial support for the SMEs. They are also directed to run a “trader clinic” to build the capacity of the beneficiaries in key areas of micro investment, savings and book keeping. This will guarantee the health and wellbeing of the trades.
The Director General PAWECA Dr. Michael Zira saluted governor Fintiri administration’s commitment to economic empowerment and inclusive growth.
The programme he explained seeks to uplift the less privileged, strengthen small-scale businesses, and foster a trade friendly environment that encourages entrepreneurship at all levels.
The director general revealed that over 100,000 citizens have so far benefitted from the Fintiri Business Wallet, noting that the initiative has made an impact on poverty rate and the GDP of the state.
