NAN
As a way of reducing poverty in Nigeria, the National Poverty Eradication Programme is set to commence a nationwide grassroots empowerment programme for women and youths.
This was contained in a statement signed by Mr Godwin Nbeine, Chairman, JOSDAN Global Peace Foundation Network (NAPEP’s partner) and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja.
According to the statement, the programme is in cognizance of the fact that activities and programmes of NAPEP over the years had not effectively permeated to a substantial number of grassroots women and youths.
The National Coordinator of NAPEP, Mallam Mukhtar Tafawa-Balewa, also said the programme was collaborating with JOSDAN Global Peace Foundation Network to roll out the new poverty alleviation plan in 2014.
The statement said the new poverty alleviation plan is seeking to provide rural women and youths with business ideas that would serve as veritable means of livelihood for them.
“It is aimed at arming youths and women with skills required for personal development and community transformation.
“The programme itself is billed to commence before the end of January,” it explained.
The national coordinator emphasised that the programme was unique as it would be all inclusive, productive and effective.
Nbiene thanked Tafawa-Balewa for embarking on such a notable programme, especially one that was targeting women and youths at the grassroots.
He pledged full support of the non – governmental organisation as technical partner to drive the new plan to fruition.
Nbiene said this was because a good number of the nation’s population – especially the poor – resided in rural communities.
“Such programme at this time is not only apt and timely but will impact positively on the economic development of this country.
“I call for the support and collaboration of relevant stakeholders – at the state and local government levels – to ensure the success of the programme and to enable these wonderful ideas to be achieved,” he said.
