By Mordi chukwunonso Esther 

Vulnerable women in Imo have received N475 million from the Federal Government under its conditional cash transfer programme for rural women.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Mrs Sadiya Farouq, Speaking at the official flag off of the programme in Owerri on Friday, said the programme was designed as part of government’s social inclusion and poverty reduction agenda.

Farouq handed over N20,000 to each beneficiary and urged the women to put the money to effective use so that government’s objective of lifting vulnerable women out of poverty would be achieved.

“This grant was introduced in year 2020 as part of Federal Government’s social inclusion and poverty reduction agenda. It includes the national aspiration of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.

“Under the programme, a grant of N20,000 each will be given to more than 150,000 rural women across the country.

“The Federal Government enrolled 11,687 beneficiaries in Imo under the conditional cash transfer programme and they have received a total of N475 million in 10 Local Government Areas of the state.

“This programme will extend more lifting hand to some of the dearest citizens of our beloved country and we urge them to put it to effective use,’’ the minister said. (NAN)