The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP), has launched an ambitious initiative to empower 3,700 women across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Queen Rider Programme, in partnership with Gamma Mobility, aimed to provide at least 100 women per state and the FCT with access to credit-backed vehicle purchases, enabling them to become tricycle owners and operators.
According to Engr. Uzoma Nwagba, Managing Director/CEO of CREDICORP, the programme is part of the agency’s wider effort to support half of Nigeria’s working population by 2030 with consumer credit tools.
Nwagba noted that the programme is part of CREDICORP’s SCALE initiative (Securing Consumer Access for Local Enterprises), which seeks to boost local manufacturing and support Nigeria’s broader industrial policy goals.
He said the programme will channel credit-backed women towards purchasing locally assembled tricycles from Simba TVS, a leading manufacturer of tricycles and motorbikes in Nigeria.
By driving up demand for domestically assembled vehicles, the programme will strengthen local factories and feed local families, he stated that this initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the economy, as it will increase the demand for locally manufactured products and create jobs for Nigerians.
He added that the Queen Rider Programme is designed to empower women economically by providing them with a means of livelihood and economic independence.
He said saying the programme will enable women to own tricycles, which they can use to generate income and improve their economic well-being.
Also, Nwagba emphasized that the Queen Rider initiative is a testament to the government’s commitment to empowering women and promoting economic development.
According to him, the programme is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of thousands of women across Nigeria, providing them with economic opportunities and improving their overall well-being.
He said : “This initiative is President Bola Tinubu’s mandate.
“He is a man who is very passionate about consumer credits for many decades and it is his idea that people should be able to access goods and services today and better their lives and pay for it overtime.
“He said we should have a credit system that works for all. Civil servants don’t have to wait until retirement to own a house or have a car.
“They should be able to get it at the beginning of their service and same with non-civil servants, salary workers, entrepreneurs, artisans.
“They should be able to get their solar panels, vehicles, renovate their homes through access to credit.”
Nwagba advised the beneficiaries to maximise the empowerment tool to better their lives and also pay back consistently in order not to deny other women from benefitting from the programme.
He also announced that aside from the Queen Rider Programme, the agency is also involved in several other initiatives such as electronic devices to enable young people get smartphones and laptops to be able to get on the digital economy and be more productive.
He called on Nigerians to get used to consumer credits to enable them become productive users of credit, adding that consistency in repayment guarantees more credits.
Also speaking, Co-Founder of Gamma Mobility, Sam Esiri, who are the managers of the Queens Rider Programme, said the programme is poised to ignite dignity, purpose and prosperity for thousands of Nigerian women.
He averred that the Queen Riders Programme is not just a product launch, but a resolute proclamation that Nigerian women deserves unhindered access to the tools of economic empowerment.
He commended the efforts of CREDICORP and other partners in the scheme.
“This programme entails that mobility must transcend mere movements, it must propel lives towards brighter futures and with the right platforms, women can steer the transformation of urban transport in Nigeria.
“This bold vision comes to life through the remarkable synergy of our partners whose collective efforts have made this moments possible,” Esiri stated.
Speaking on the benefits of the programme, Esiri said through the Queen Riders Programme, the women would own their vehicles, own their income, forge sustainable livelihoods and also own their futures by becoming independent.
A beneficiary of the programme, Mrs Elizabeth John, praised CREDICORP and their partners for putting smiles on their faces. She assured that they (beneficiaries) will maximally utilise the opportunity given to them.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
