President Buhari’s decision to empower women is a step in the right direction

President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent decision to set aside N1.6 billion for the empowerment of women is a step in the right direction. In his statement during the nationwide broadcast to mark his one year in office on May 29, the president said “I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the increasing role that our women are playing in the agricultural sector. Modern farming is still hard and heavy work and I salute our Nigerian women in sharing this burden’’,

According to thisdaylive, The N1.6 billion, which is expected to be domiciled in micro-finance institutions as loans to women across the nation, is to assist in rehabilitating the economies of rural communities, particularly those impacted by the Boko Haram insurgency and other conflicts. Justifying his decision, the president expressed regret that for too long, Nigeria had neglected the poor and victimized the weak, accusing past leaders of promoting profit and growth over development and freedom.