By Umar Faruk
Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria - August 27, 2025(Series News Online)
The Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the economic well-being of women in rural communities through a comprehensive empowerment program. The Managing Director of SRRBDA, Alh Abubakar Malam, highlighted the importance of women's empowerment in achieving food security and economic growth during the flag-off ceremony of the distribution of solar-powered irrigation machines and agricultural inputs to women groups in Birnin Kebbi.
The initiative is part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at promoting economic development and food security across the country. "Empowering women is crucial to achieving food security and economic growth," Malam said. He expressed optimism that the presidential initiative on food security is yielding positive results and that SRRBDA's efforts will contribute significantly to achieving the desired objectives.
The Executive Director, Planning and Design, Hon Kabiru Ladan Maigoro, who represented the Managing Director, emphasized the importance of collaboration with key stakeholders, including state governments, to ensure the success of the program. He noted that the livestock breeding support initiative for women aligns with the Renewed Hope Initiative of the President's Wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The Program Manager, Zauro Polder Project, Haj Mariyatu Sulaiman, urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the equipment and inputs provided. The District Head of Ambursa, Alh Isa Haruna Rasheed, assured the SRRBDA management that the community leaders will ensure that the equipment is not sold off by the beneficiaries. He commended the President, the Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and the Managing Director of SRRBDA for their continued support to farmers in the state.
The distribution exercise was coordinated by the Technical Adviser to the Managing Director, Alh Abubakar Bagudu Dallatun Kalgo, and Area Manager Alh Mainasara Gwandu. Women groups from the three senatorial zones benefited from the first phase of the program, which included solar-powered irrigation machines, sheep, and rice seedlings. The empowerment program was supported by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.
