A total of 723 women across the 20 local government areas of Bauchi State have been empowered by the Almuhibbah Foundation, a brainchild of the wife of the state governor, Dr Aisha Bala Mohammed.
Speaking yesterday at the flag-off of the Women and Youth Empowerment Programme organised by the foundation, the first lady said one of the core missions of the foundation is to empower individuals, especially youths and women, through education, agriculture, health initiatives and skills acquisition.
Dr Aisha expressed the belief that empowerment of the communities in the state is the key to creating lasting change, stressing that “We have had the privilege of supporting more than 20,000 people in this regard.
“The businesses we are supporting today range from local catering, popcorn making, soft drink, tofu making (Awara), animal rearing, irrigation farming tools, tailoring machines, distribution of grinding machines and deep freezers, among others.”
The governor’s wife explained that the initiatives have not only provided an avenue for financial independence, but also provides a sense of hope and purpose.
She acknowledged that small businesses form the backbone of the economy, saying it is the foundation’s mission to ensure that the young people and women have the resources and knowledge they need to succeed.
She stressed the need to address the challenges that could hinder women and youth development, particularly drug abuse which, she observed, is a major concern, with many young people becoming substance abusers, sometimes leading to devastating consequences on their health, families and communities.
“The causes of drug abuse range from peer pressure, unemployment, lack of education to social isolation, leading to trauma and mental health issues, hence the foundation’s belief that prevention through education is essential.”
The first lady assured of her foundation’s commitment to providing lectures and awareness programmes to help youths and women understand the risks of drug abuse and the importance of making healthier choices in life.
“In the area of education, Almuhibbah Foundation provides scholarships to children from vulnerable households at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. The foundation has given scholarships worth N11,700,000 to 41 less privileged students at the tertiary level,” she added.
