FG, Ndume Empower 350 IDPs In Southern Borno

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, in partnership with Mbeva Investment Nigeria Limited (MINL) and the support of Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, has trained about 350 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in POS operations.

The initiative was launched on Thursday in Maiduguri, Borno State. Senator Ndume praised President Bola Tinubu for fulfilling the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ and collaborating with Mbeva Investment Nigeria Ltd to improve the lives of vulnerable individuals in the community.

Highlighting the impact of over a decade Boko Haram crisis and issues related to unreliable telecommunications and power supply, Ndume noted the economic challenges faced by residents in the nine local government areas of his constituency.

He pointed out that many local councils lack functional banks, with Biu being the only one with limited banking services.

He expressed concern that the ongoing cashless policy and electronic banking systems have made daily transactions and business operations increasingly difficult for many in Southern Borno.

“I am thrilled to be part of this training and empowerment initiative. We have gathered 350 participants from various wards, most of whom are IDPs. This programme aims to enhance financial inclusion and create job opportunities for our youth,” he stated.

Senator Ndume commended President Tinubu and Mbeva Investment Nigeria Ltd for their commitment to uplifting vulnerable individuals and urged participants to make the most of the training and the POS kits provided, which would help them become economically self-reliant and major contributors to societal development.

In his welcome address, the managing director of Mbeva Investment Nigeria Limited, Hon Musa Ali, highlighted the journey of Miss Rhoda Chibok, who travellled from Chibok local government to Mubi in Adamawa State to obtain her BVN and necessary accreditation to qualify for the programme.

“Today, we gather to equip our youth with essential skills for success in the digital economy. This initiative is a testament to Senator Ndume’s unwavering dedication to community development,” he remarked.

Hon Ali emphasised that the training would provide comprehensive knowledge in POS operations, efficient transaction processing skills and improved financial management expertise.

He encouraged participants to fully embrace this opportunity and become advocates for financial literacy.

Miss Rhoda Chibok, who received additional support from Senator Ndume and other stakeholders for her dedication to the training, praised the initiative on behalf of her fellow beneficiaries.

She assured that they would utilise the opportunity wisely and work to extend the benefits of the empowerment programme to others in the constituency to foster economic independence and ease business operations.