Nigeria’s economy has improved tremendously since the return to democracy, placing the nation among the global club of emerging middle-income economies, the Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, has said.
Maina however lamented that in spite of what she described as the impressive economic growth recorded over the years, the nation’s unemployment and abject poverty rate is on the increase.
The minister, who spoke in Kaduna yesterday at the zonal launch of the Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWin) women programme, noted that women are creditable managers of resources, and that when empowered, the result will be impressive.
She added that the YouWin programme is aimed at facilitating women’s transition from informal to formal sector of economic development. She said the programme will also promote micro, cooperative enterprises and expand market. In his address, Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa, urged women at all levels to be supportive of each other.
Earlier in her remarks, Commissioner for Women Affairs/ Social Development and coordinator North-West zone of YouWin Kaduna State, Mrs. Maria Dogo said the programme is designed to encourage young entrepreneurs.
She added that, 80,000-110,000 new jobs would be created for unemployed women and youths.

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