Over 1.4m Nigerians are targeted to benefit from the second phase of
the Government Empowerment and Enterprises Program, GEEP, loan.
This was stated by Sadiyya Umar Farouk, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Sadiya Umar Faruk, on Thursday at the official flag-off of the program in Dutse, Jigawa State.
The minister was represented by Alhaji Nasiru Sani Gwarzo, Permanent Secretary of the ministry. The minister said the programme is in line with the Federal Government’s effort to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty.
“When President Muhammadu Buhari took over the mantle of leadership in 2015, over 70 percent of Nigerians were living at poverty level.
“Out of concern and determination to change the negative narration, the president established the Social Intervention Program (SIP) under which a series of empowerment and intervention programs were initiated and implemented to tackle the challenges.”
Mrs. Sadiya Faruq explained that the target beneficiaries in the second phase will receive N50,000 each as a loan to enhance their small-scale businesses.
“Over 6,000 beneficiaries have already been accredited in Jigawa State as beneficiaries of the GEEP program,” she said.
But the minister charged the beneficiaries, to be determined and self-disciplined in utilizing and paying the loan
