Benue approves N450m for women’s economic empowerment initiative
Benue State Council Approves N450 Million for Women Empowerment Initiative
Makurdi, Benue State — The Benue State Executive Council has approved N450 million in counterpart funding for the Nigeria Women Project, a World Bank-supported initiative aimed at empowering women and enhancing small- and medium-sized enterprises across the state.
The decision was made during a recent executive council meeting chaired by Governor Hyacinth Alia. The state government stated that the funding will allow Benue to access additional financial support from the World Bank for programs designed to reduce poverty among women and increase economic opportunities through entrepreneurship.
Chief Solomon Iorpev, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Media, Publicity, and Strategic Communication, explained that this initiative aligns with the state government’s commitment to improving the livelihoods of women and promoting economic growth. “The project seeks to empower women through small and medium-scale enterprises, helping to alleviate poverty and enhance their economic participation,” he said.
In a separate matter, the council also approved sponsorship for 81 Muslim pilgrims for the upcoming 2026 Hajj in Mecca. Iorpev noted that similar support would be extended to Christian pilgrims during the Jerusalem pilgrimage season later this year. He characterized this initiative as a revival of a practice that had been overlooked by previous administrations.
Additionally, the council ratified Governor Alia’s executive order to rename the Benue Printing and Publishing Corporation as the Dan Agbese Printing and Publishing Corporation, recognizing the contributions of the late journalist to Nigeria’s media industry. The council urged young people to emulate Agbese’s dedication and commitment to excellence.
