By Sardauna Dan-Awe
No fewer than 140,000 women and Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) in Katsina State have benefited from entrepreneurial and employability training programmes facilitated by Jobberman as part of efforts to tackle poverty, promote self-reliance and improve economic development.
The initiative, implemented in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is a broader strategy to equip Nigerian women and PLWDs with market-relevant skills, enabling them to either secure gainful employment or establish sustainable businesses.
This was revealed by the organization during its empowerment of another sect of 400 women from diverse backgrounds under the theme, “From Potential to Power: Advancing Women Into Opportunities”, held in Katsina Saturday.
Speaking at the event, Jobberman’s Senior Strategy Consultant, Oladoyi Kolawole, said the initiative aimed at unlocking employment and economic opportunities for women and persons living with disabilities and amplifying their voices across various sectors.
She explained that the programme offers a comprehensive platform for the beneficiaries to learn, connect, and thrive through panel discussions, health and wellness sessions, financial literacy training, as well as career and business advisory services.
She noted that the initiative placed special focus on vulnerable groups, including women entrepreneurs, professionals, persons with disabilities, and internally displaced persons, who often face structural barriers to economic participation.
To ensure inclusivity, Kolawole explained that support services such as free medical screenings, childcare and laundry were provided, particularly for women with caregiving responsibilities, while showcasing women-led enterprises.
In her remarks, the Wife of the Katsina State Governor, Zulaihat Dikko Radda, called for stronger commitment to women’s empowerment through education, financial independence, and improved healthcare.
Represented by her Technical Assistant, Esther Angulu, the governor’s wife highlighted the vast but untapped potential among women and girls, especially in rural communities.
“Women are often described as the backbone of the family, but a backbone that remains in the shadows cannot move the body forward,” she said.
She emphasised the need to create enabling environments for women to succeed, identifying education as the foundation of empowerment and stressing the importance of not just school enrollment, but completion.
She also underscored financial independence, noting that equipping women with skills in areas such as agriculture, tailoring, and technology can transform them into job creators.
The governor’s wife described women’s empowerment not as charity, but as a strategic investment, noting that women often reinvest their earnings into their families and communities.
She added that her office remains committed to supporting women through initiatives such as interest-free loans for small businesses, advocacy for safe schools, and promoting women’s participation in decision-making.
Earlier, the Special Adviser on Banking and Finance to the Governor, Hon. Bilkisu Ibrahim, said the initiative provides essential support for vulnerable groups, especially women and persons with disabilities, enabling them to participate more actively in economic activities.
One of the participants, Maryam Yusuf, who deals in women’s fashion items, said the event met her expectations by equipping her with practical ideas to grow her business and boost her confidence.
On her part, Halima Shehu-Musawa, a volunteer at the event, praised the initiative’s inclusivity, noting that it successfully brought together women from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds for shared learning and empowerment.
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