1044 youths receive ATM under GEEP programme in Jigawa
By Umar Akilu Majeri, Dutse
No fewer than 1044 people have benefited under the Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme (GEEP), in Jigawa State.
This was disclosed by the State Coordinator of the programme, Malam Mustapha Umar Babura at the official roll out of Enterprise and Empowernment Programme held at Jigawa State Institute of Manpower.
He explained that among the beneficiaries, 1044 have received the ATM card to enable them withdraw their loans which would be given to them.
The aim of the programme is to assist the teeming youths to improved their local busineses at their various localities.
In her remarks, the Technical Adviser to the Minister of Humanitarian, Hajia Zainab Musa, charged all the beneficiaries to use the loan given to them judiciously .
She added that the beneficiaries should keep it in mind that they are expected to start paying back in the next nine months.
She also enjoined them not to take thing for granted, noting that the loan is refundable. “It is not something that won’t be collected”. She thus advised them not to refuse repayment.
She explained further that the money must be paid for others to benefit,adding that the loan was interest free.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr Nasiru Sani Gwarzo, who represented the Minister of Humanitarian said, “it is part of the ministry’s culture to assist the youths to address poverty amount the teeming population across the country”.
He explained that the gathering at the Manpower was to consolidate on the programmes of promoting the youths into a new life by removing them out of poverty.
He however charged the beneficiaries to use the money given to them as soft loan in doing the business that will sustain their living.
He urged them not to use the money for additional marriages by going for second wives. And to the women beneficiaries, he advised them not to use the money to change their wardrobes, maintaining that it was not meant for that. The money is mainly for entrepreneurship, to boost business activities .
According to him, Jigawa State is among the states who benefited most under GEEP programme in the country.
