The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Zone D, has commended the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, for empowering women and vulnerable families in Benue State.
In a statement signed by the Zonal Secretary, Mrs Juliana Ose Ofoku, and made available in Abuja on Tuesday, NAWOJ Vice President, Zone D, Mrs Chizoba Ogbeche, said the intervention was timely given the impact of insecurity and economic hardship on displaced communities.
According to the group, the minister delivered empowerment packages including 400 bags of rice, 20 bales of Ankara fabrics, fairly used clothes, grinding and sewing machines, as well as cash grants to women farmers and groups.
“Twenty women farmers received N1m each, with an advance payment of ₦500,000 already disbursed while the balance will come later in the year. Cash support was also extended to survivors of gender-based violence,” the statement added.
The association, which covers Benue, Nasarawa, Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Plateau and the FCT, congratulated the minister on her conferment with the title Dooshima of Benue, meaning Love of Benue, noting that it was a recognition of her efforts.
NAWOJ further urged security agencies to be proactive in curbing attacks in the North-Central, and tasked the Department of State Services to ensure diligent prosecution of suspects arrested over the Benue killings to serve as a deterrent.