The National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) has empowered over 150 women in Nasarawa State with cash grants for livestock farming with emphasis on poultry and goat rearing.
The institute gave the 150 women start-up funds of N47,000 each amounting to N7,050,000 which was paid into their various bank accounts.
The coordinator, Mr. Abu Ochefije Silas, in an empowerment programme in Nasarawa State, explained that with the current economic challenges in Nigeria, the notion of engendering greater entrepreneurial activity had become a prominent goal for many governments and individuals.
“The relevance of economic development has been highlighted by many researchers and it is now well recognised that education and training opportunities play key roles in greater levels of success.
“The act of empowering someone, the granting of power, right or authority to perform various acts and duties is known as empowerment and our goal is to empower women in poultry farming and goat rearing in two local government areas in Nasarawa State which are Nasarawa Eggon and Barkin Abdullahi,” he said.
Mr. Bengum Hyelatakiri and Miss Joyce Adams who lectured the women on the modalities of livestock farming, also enlightened them on all they need to know about poultry farming and goat rearing and how to start-up and manage livestock farming.
Mrs. Veronica Igba from the Special Duties office and Mr. Bako Diddam Mathias from NVRI supervised the empowerment programme and ensured that all the beneficiaries were given the needed assistance.
Mr. Bako Diddam Mathias, a representative from NVRI later appreciated the women for taking up the opportunity to learn livestock farming and become independent employers of labour.
Mrs. Hauwa Abdul Hamid, who spoke on behalf of other beneficiaries expressed gratitude to NVRI for the empowerment program, and appealed to other organisations to emulate NVRI.
