In a deeply emotional event that turned tears of hardship into tears of joy, Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has launched a transformative empowerment initiative for hundreds of vulnerable women and girls. The historic occasion, marked by disbelief and overwhelming gratitude, saw the governor disburse a substantial N40 million in grants to 400 selected beneficiaries.
A Dream Realised for Borno's Vulnerable Women
The life-changing moment unfolded last Friday at the inauguration of the Women and Girls Skills Acquisition Centre (WGSAC) in Biu, Borno State. For years, residents of the Borno South Senatorial District, which spans nine local government areas, had viewed promises of women's empowerment as distant dreams. Governor Zulum's intervention has now turned those dreams into a tangible, life-altering reality for women from eight of these LGAs.
The governor announced to a stunned audience that each of the 400 vocational trainees would receive N100,000. The funds are designed to support their training in vital skills including tailoring, catering, knitting, crocheting, and bead making. This initiative is a core part of efforts to restore livelihoods and foster economic resilience in communities across the senatorial district.
Beyond Grants: The Gift of Education
In a move that amplified the day's surprises, Governor Zulum posed a critical question to the assembled women: “Who among you has the qualifications for higher education in the country?” As hands shot up across the main hall of the training centre, the governor unveiled an additional layer of support.
He offered instant scholarships for a number of the trainees to pursue studies in nursing and midwifery within the state. This dual approach of financial grants for enterprise and scholarships for formal education left many beneficiaries in a state of joyful shock, with some reportedly pinching themselves to confirm the reality of the moment.
Part of a Broader Mission of Impact
The emotionally charged ceremony was a key part of Governor Zulum's intensive five-day working tour of southern Borno. This people-focused mission was designed to directly impact various groups, including health workers, teachers, hospital patients, and youth associations.
The disbursement at the WGSAC specifically targets women and girls who were previously blocked by circumstance from completing their education, offering them a crucial second chance. Following the departure of the governor's convoy, the centre remained filled with an atmosphere of profound gratitude and the powerful realisation that destinies had been positively and permanently altered.
As the beneficiaries, now equipped with new hope and resources, step into a future once denied to them, many offered prayers for the governor's continued strength, health, and wisdom to sustain such people-oriented projects. The N40 million grant, paid in two instalments to each beneficiary, stands as a significant investment in human capital and community revival in Borno State.
