Kogi State has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative that echoes a resounding commitment to the empowerment of its citizens. The state, renowned for its innovative strides, recently extended a robust lifeline to its entrepreneurial community, disbursing N150,000 to each of the 585 beneficiaries hailing from its 21 local government areas. The diverse beneficiaries, consisting predominantly of tenacious petty traders, skilled artisans, and small-scale business proprietors, were bestowed with these grants subsequent to their participation in the “livelihood grants” program, an initiative devised to equip them with the skills required to expand their entrepreneurial endeavors.
Kehinde Olorunmosunle, the adept head of the delivery platform for social transfer and livelihood grants, elucidated the finer nuances of this transformative initiative. He conveyed to the press that the recipients, spanning from 18 to 35 years of age, were inherently spirited individuals capable of infusing vigor into their businesses. The spectrum of beneficiaries spans diverse vocations, encompassing dynamic roles such as petty traders, artisans, hairdressers, bakers, and fashion designers, among others.
Olorunmosunle expounded, “The holistic training is an enduring effort to consistently reinforce the beneficiaries’ understanding of the imperative nature of prudent fund utilization. Prior to receiving the grants, the beneficiaries underwent meticulous training sessions outlining the anticipated alignment between the funds and their respective business growth trajectories.”
The program ventured beyond the confines of training rooms into the heart of the communities, substantiating the authenticity of the diverse enterprises. “We meticulously assessed the authenticity of their diverse businesses within their local contexts before the grants were disbursed,” Olorunmosunle explained. “Once the funds were granted, our monitoring endeavors seamlessly transitioned into their communities to closely evaluate the strategic utilization of the funds.”
In line with prudent fund management, Olorunmosunle enjoined the recipients to judiciously channel the grants towards the intended business expansion, cautioning them against frivolous diversions. Expressing gratitude towards the Kogi government for their swift allocation of funds that precipitated a tangible impact, Olorunmosunle extended commendations to the federal government and the World Bank for coalescing to birth this transformational initiative.
Amid the resonant echoes of empowerment, three beneficiaries—Musa Abah, Rejoice Thomas, and Medinat Kabiru—expressed their heartfelt gratitude towards the World Bank, the federal government, and the Kogi state government for bestowing this life-altering gesture upon them.
Kogi State’s resolute commitment to fostering entrepreneurship through tangible financial support reverberates as a beacon of hope for aspiring entrepreneurs. This landmark initiative ushers forth a promising era for these agile entrepreneurs, each holding within their grasp the seeds of economic transformation and personal empowerment.
