Benue approves N450m for women empowerment project, sponsors pilgrims to holy lands
Benue State
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Benue State Executive Council, under the leadership of Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has greenlit ₦450 million in counterpart funding for the Nigeria Women Project, a World Bank-supported initiative aimed at empowering women through small and medium-scale businesses.
The funding, announced during a council meeting, targets poverty reduction and economic growth across the state.
Officials say the state’s contribution will unlock additional World Bank resources to roll out the program fully.
In a separate decision, the council approved sponsorship for 81 Muslim pilgrims to perform this year’s Hajj in Mecca.
It also pledged similar support for Christian pilgrims heading to Jerusalem, marking a revival of the state’s pilgrimage sponsorship tradition under Governor Alia’s administration.
Additionally, the council ratified an executive order renaming the Benue Printing and Publishing Corporation to the Dan Agbese Printing and Publishing Corporation.
The move honours veteran journalist Dan Agbese for his enduring contributions to Nigeria’s media landscape.
Council members praised Agbese’s legacy, urging youths to follow his example of hard work and dedication as pathways to success.
