President Jonathan Says 60% of N20b SME funds Should be directed to women empowerment

President Goodluck Jonathan has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN to ensure that sixty percent of the recent twenty billion naira approved for Small and Medium Enterprises be allocated to women.

The President made the call at a two day summit to commemorate the International day of the girl child in Abuja.
Represented by the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina, the President called on various stakeholders to support the government in commemorating the day and to make it an annual event in the country.

The President said the valuable contributions of women in the country were as a result of their access to education.

Earlier in her remarks, the Director-General of the National Centre for Women Development Lady Onyeka Onwenu said this year’s event represented a commitment of the government to protect the Girl child in line with the United Nations convections on the Rights of the girl child.

She said the Forum would also evolve strategies for Economic empowerment for marginalized women and girls focusing on education and security.

The forum was declared open by the first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan with the theme “Reinforcing the Agenda for Girl child education”.

Source: http://www.ww2.radionigeria.gov.ng/frnews-detail.php?ID=9982