The Kogi State Government has disclosed that it has disbursed N750m loan to over 61 per cent of rural women farmers in the state.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Zacchaeus Atteh, disclosed this while speaking at a one-day Step-Down Training for Women on Gender Mainstreaming organized by the ministry and supported by the Actionaid Nigeria in Lokoja.
Atteh, who underscored the importance of gender mainstreaming in addressing gender issues, said the concept occupied a strategic and crucial position in the all-round development of the society.
The commissioner explained that it was in view of this that the ministry ensured that rural women farmers were being accorded priority in the disbursement of the micro loans of N100,000 each to support small holder women farmers in rural areas.
“Sexual division of labour and access to and control over resources and benefits as key factors in understanding gender issues.
“Consequent upon these issues, it is necessary to give crucial attention to gender mainstreaming in both governance and the entire society”, he said.
The commissioner noted that women, like their male counterparts were created or born with potential, talents, skills and gifts and given the necessary opportunities, encouragement and support, they would impact on family and national development.
ActionAid Programmes Manager in charge of the training, Mr. Victor Adejoh, in his remarks urged that more women be allowed to climb up the ladder into administrative and leadership positions.
Adejoh noted that out of the nine directors in the Agriculture Ministry, only one was a female even as he appealed that government incentives or assistance given to rural farmers especially women, should be allowed to trickle down and translate into food on the table.
Amen… We also pray that may ALMIGHTY Allah flood off those bad elements in this administration that are only mindful of their self but not the entire KOGITES…..Allah love kogi state is just there are some few sycophants in the state who doesn’t want the state to move forward and may ALLAH punish them amicably… O ALLAH guide our humble governor, give him more wisdom, strength and good health to take kogi state to the highest level…