People Living with Disabilities (PLWD) in Jigawa State on Tuesday expressed joy upon receiving N30,000 each as donation from the state government.
The state Agency for Youth Employment and Empowerment held the event to mark the scheme targeting 1,000 persons with disabilities across the 27 local government areas of the state. The event took place at the Manpower Development Institute in Dutse, the state capital.
Hauwa Sa’idu, a beneficiary of Jigawar Tsada in Dutse local council area, said she will add N30,000 to her business capital.
“This is the first time I have received up to N30,000 from the government as an empowerment package. I am in the peanut oil business, the money will allow me to increase my capital and my production. I thank Almighty God and Governor Danmodi (Umar Namadi) for the gesture,” said Mrs Sa’idu.
Hauwa Adamu, who attended the ceremony from Ringim Local Government Area, about 80 kilometers from the state capital, said it is the highest donation he has received from the government after the N7,500 he received from the administration of the former governor Sule Lamido.
“I will use the money to expand my local handicrafts and robe business,” said 82-year-old Mrs Adamu.
Larai Musa of Roni LGA, a beggar who is expecting her tenth child, said she would use alms to take care of her children.
“But we need more to get me off the streets and stop begging,” Mrs. Musa said.
Ismail Bature is the spokesperson for people living with disabilities in the state.
“There are different empowerment programs aimed at our members in the state, but this one is unique due to the reserved structure and the number of beneficiaries,” he said.
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State Governor Namadi said at the event that the government would extend an empowerment program to other groups to address the level of poverty in the state.
“We have a mechanism for evaluating processes, including the use of the fund. We will monitor the retention rate and based on that, we will continue to increase the number of beneficiaries to address the level of poverty, which is part of our 12-point agenda.
“Government is also reviewing the N7,000 monthly payment to persons with disabilities and increasing the beneficiaries,” the governor said.