Bauchi first lady seeks partnership with global agencies to empower youth, women
Bauchi state first lady, Aisha Bala Mohammed has sought for continued collaboration and partnership with Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) and other global intervention organisations for women and youth empowerment.
The first lady, who spoke at the MEDA Youth Entrepreneurship and Women’s Empowerment in Northern Nigeria Project (Nigeria WAY) close-out ceremony held at the International Conference Centre Abuja, observed that the project had contributed positively towards the promotion of women and youth empowerment.
Represented by the wife of the deputy governor, Asmau Auwal Jatau, Aisha Bala said the MEDA Nigeria Women Empowerment and Youth Entrepreneurship (WAY) project had been transformational in improving the resilience of women and youth businesses in Bauchi state.
According to her, the collaboration of MEDA with local partners in Bauchi, including her pet project, Almuhibba Foundation, along with the enabling environment provided by the administration of Governor Bala, had significantly contributed to the economic empowerment of women and youth in the state.
“I am deeply honoured to stand before at this very important occasion as we mark the closing of the Women Empowerment and Youth Entrepreneurship in Northern Nigeria (WAY) project. It is a privilege to share the remarkable journey that started in 2017, a journey that embodies resilience, empowerment, and transformative change for the women and youth of Northern Nigeria,” she said.
Permanent Secretary, Bauchi state Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning & Multilateral Coordination, Idris Saleh Giade, explained that the project execution witnessed huge successes in the selected seven local government areas of Bauchi, Dass, Toro, Ganjuwa, Warji, Katagum and Jama’are.
“I want to appreciate the complimentary activity carried out by the WAY project that has direct impact with the primary objective of the Committee for the provision of capacity training to 1,727 clients on the utilization of soy to enhance their nutritional diets. This was made successful in partnership with the office of the first Lady and through the Ministry of Health. The project has set up a network of over 2,000 Saving Groups (SLGs) across 443 communities of the seven Local Government Areas (LGAs),” she added.
