By Charles Iornumbe, Radio Benue
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom says 60% of the loans the State Government has secured to boost agriculture and other commercial activities are to be allocated to female entrepreneurs.
Governor Ortom announced this today in Makurdi, while declaring open the First Benue Women Economic Summit organised by the Eunice Spring of Life Foundation, a pet project of his wife, Dr.Eunice.
He stated for instance, that the disbursement of the Bank of Industry loans which the State Government has obtained through partnership with the bank, will be disbursed with the understanding that women are better managers of resources.
Governor Ortom therefore urged Benue women to take advantage of the enabling environment and other opportunities created by his administration such as the loan facilities offered by the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Industry and Bank of Agriculture in order to add value to themselves and the state economy.
He reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to the development of women, saying that any society which empowers its women reaps immense benefits from such investment.
The Governor praised his wife Dr. Eunice for the enormous contributions she had made over the years and for standing by him during difficult times.
Governor Ortom added that he is proud of his wife for complementing the efforts of his government in many laudable ways and promised to support her initiatives.
Earlier, Dr. Eunice Ortom who also commended her husband for being a great leader and family man, said she had received tremendous inispiration from the Governor.
Mrs. Ortom said the First Benue Women Economic Summit had become necessary to help women of the state to identify areas of their strength in entrepreneurship. She added that her organization, the Eunice Spring of Life Foundation, ESLF, would not relent in its efforts at giving bearing to the less privileged.
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