Kogi state has given N150,000 to each of the 585 beneficiaries in its 21 local government areas to expand their businesses.

The beneficiaries, mainly petty traders, artisans and small business owners, got the grants after receiving training under the state’s “livelihood grants’’ programme on how to expand their businesses.

Kehinde Olorunmosunle, head of delivery platform for social transfer and livelihood grants, told newsmen in Lokoja on Saturday that the beneficiaries were between 18 years and 35 years of age.

He described the beneficiaries as agile people that are able to run around and do business.

“They are petty traders, artisans, hairdressers, bakers, and fashion designers, among others.

“The training is meant to continue to remind the beneficiaries on the need to use the money judiciously.

“The beneficiaries had earlier been trained on what was expected of them and their businesses before getting the money.

“We went into their communities to confirm the authenticity of their various businesses before releasing the grant to them.

“Immediately the money was given to them, we also moved into the communities to monitor how they applied the funds,’’ he said.

Mr Olorunmosunle advised beneficiaries to use the grants judiciously and not to divert them to frivolities.

He expressed appreciation of the Kogi government for the timely release of funds that had enabled Kogi citizens to benefit from the grants.

He also commended the federal government and the World Bank for the initiative, saying it had yielded tangible results in Kogi.

Some of the beneficiaries, Musa Abah, Rejoice Thomas and Medinat Kabiru, thanked the World Bank and the federal and Kogi governments for the gesture.

(NAN)