The Delta State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Community Support Services, and Girl-Child Development, Ms. Orode Uduaghan, has said the state government empowered over 11,000 individuals and businesses in 2024 through the M.O.R.E. Grant Scheme.
Ms Uduaghan made the disclosure while speaking during a courtesy visit by the Asaba Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Tuesday, pointing that the scheme, focused on providing financial assistance and skill-building opportunities to vulnerable groups across the state has recorded huge success.
Giving a breakdown of beneficiaries, Uduaghan explained that a total of 1,600 petty traders across the 25 Local Government Areas (LGAs) received grants ranging from ₦70,000 to ₦100,000 to support their small businesses.
She added that additional 1,826 artisans from over 30 professions, including bicycle repairers and refrigerator technicians, were empowered with ₦150,000 each to enhance their trades.
Under the Girl-Child Development initiative, she said over 6,000 young women, aged 18 to 35, were trained in business techniques such as accounting, bookkeeping, and digital literacy.
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“This training, conducted in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) and MasterCard Foundation, was held across all 25 LGAs. From this group, 1,700 young female entrepreneurs were further empowered with ₦150,000 each to expand their businesses.
“In total, 11,126 individuals benefitted from the program, reflecting the state’s commitment to addressing economic challenges and empowering its most vulnerable residents,” she stated.
The NUJ Chairman, Asaba Correspondents Chapel, Mr. Ifeanyi Olanye, commended the state government for its remarkable achievements, particularly its focus on empowering youth and small businesses under the administration’s M.O.R.E. mantra.
