Ninety-three women, mostly parents and caregivers from Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Zumba, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, have each received seed funds of ₦50,000 to support their families.
The intervention, carried out under the second phase of the Zumba Child Advancement Program (Z-CHAP) by the Development Initiative of West Africa (DIWA) with support from the North South Power Foundation, took place at Central Primary School, Zumba.
Speaking at the event, Public Relations Consultant for North South Power Company Limited, Dr. Samson Usome, said the initiative was designed to empower displaced women with sustainable means of livelihood. He noted that many of their children—who once depended on fetching firewood to survive—have now been enrolled back in school.
He described the support as timely, stressing that it would ease financial challenges for mothers while also securing the future of their children through education.
Program Manager of DIWA, Musa El Thani Mohammed, explained that in the first phase of Z-CHAP, 100 children were enrolled at Central Primary School and Model Primary School, Zumba. He assured that proper monitoring would be conducted across both phases, urging beneficiaries to utilize the funds wisely and keep their children in school.
He emphasized that the long-term success of the project depends on how effectively the women manage the resources to establish sustainable sources of income.
Also speaking, DIWA Program Assistant, Adamu Umaru, disclosed that the beneficiaries had undergone skills acquisition training to prepare them for entrepreneurship before receiving the cash support.
LookHe added that the NSP Foundation, being rooted in the community, understands the challenges associated with children being out of school.
Representing the Director General of the Niger State Small, Medium Enterprises and Microfinance Agency, Madaki Abdullahi underscored the importance of financial literacy and proper business management, urging beneficiaries to invest the funds productively.
In goodwill messages, representatives of the Shiroro Council Chairman, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the Emir of Zumba, and the police commended the initiative.
They advised the women to avoid frivolous spending and channel the support into ventures that would uplift their families.
The beneficiaries expressed joy and gratitude, describing the intervention as life-changing and a pathway to self-reliance.
The Z-CHAP project is being executed by DIWA and sponsored by the North South Power Foundation.
