By Fakayejo Paul
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq has called on vulnerable Nigerians to “come forward and receive interest-free loans under the just launched Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme, GEEP 2.0.”
At the unveiling held at the International Conference Centre Abuja, on Tuesday, Sadiya Umar Farouq said that GEEP 2.0 is one of the National Social Investment Programmes established by the President Muhammadu-led administration to assist the skilled but unbanked vulnerable population.
According to Sadiya Umar Farouq; “GEEP targets the unbanked poor and vulnerable but skilled population that have always been left out on credit delivery programmes and is directed at providing soft and affordable loans to finance their businesses. The GEEP is innovatively targeted and delivered under three unique products”.
According to the minister, the products are; The TraderMoni which is for marginalized youth, MarketMoni which is for vulnerable women and the FarmerMoni which is specifically for rural farmers.
“The GEEP 2.0 is structured to effectively deliver soft loans and skills to a wide range of unemployed citizens including persons living with disability, marginalized women and unemployed youth amongst other vulnerable groups in our society,” the minister said.
Furthermore the minister emphasized that the program is expected to empower Nigerian farmers especially in the rural areas, deliver rapid scale-up of FarmerMoni to agroprenuership for increased agricultural produce, food security and job creation.
“MarketMoni targets the under-privileged and marginalized women in the communities while the TraderMoni aims to empower and uplift under-privileged and vulnerable youths, scavengers, market wheelbarrow pushers, orphans and youths with special needs.
“I call on all Nigerians who are specially targeted by the NSIP and indeed the GEEP to please take advantage of all that the programme offers so that the vision of Mr. President of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 2030 will unfailingly be accomplished,” the minister further remarked.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who was the Special Guest of Honour was represented by Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Special Assistant (Political matters) to President Buhari.
Senator Babafemi Ojudu, while delivering the keynote address of Vice President Osinbajo emphasized that the ministry of Humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development has the full backing of the presidency in its program formulation and implementation.
Other dignitaries present include Dr. Chris Ngige, Minister for labour; Yomi Dare, Minister for youths and sport; Pauline Tallen, Minister for Women Affairs; Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, Minister for Environment; Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Minister of State for Education; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development, Bashir Nura Alkali; the 37 focal persons from across the federation including the FCT; the NSIP team head, Umar Bindir; among others.