IFAD lauds RUFIN for improving living conditions of rural communities
NAN-AE-5
Impact
By Suleiman Shehu
Owotoro (Oyo State), Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) Dr Kanayo Nwanze, President of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has commended Rural Finance Institution Building Programme (RUFIN) for improving the lives of the rural dwellers.
Nwanze, who was represented by his Special Adviser, Mr Liam Francis, gave the commendation on Friday during the assessment on the impact of operation of RUFIN by IFAD in Owotoro in Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The IFAD president said that he was satisfied that the programme has significantly improved the lives of the rural communities that had benefitted from the activities of RUFIN.
“I can see their condition has improved in items of access to finance, increased productivity, health and better accommodation.
“The benefits are translating into transformation of this community as children have access to schooling, which was exactly what IFAD is hoping to see,’’ he said.
He encouraged the beneficiaries of RUFIN programme to partner among themselves to increase group and association so as to be stronger in strength.
Nwanze said that this would give them the ability to access finance from microfinance and other financial institutions.
In his contribution, Mr Emmanuel Ogundiran, State Programme Coordinator of RUFIN, said that the rural dwellers have ideal but no money to turn those ideals into food on their table.
Ogundiran said that RUFIN was able to assist through interaction with microfinance bank and other financing institution that deal in given out money at a cheap rate.
He said that microfinance bank were able to borrow the beneficiaries money without collateral with the assistance of RUFIN.
The RUFIN State Programme coordinator, however, called on the state governments, especially Oyo State to partner with them to be able to cover more rural areas.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Titilola Ajibade, said that the programme has helped her to start a business of her own.
NAN reports that RUFIN is a programme sponsored by the Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
The seven-year programme is being implemented in 12 states across the six geo political zones in the country through group formation methodology.
The programme seeks to lift millions of rural dwellers out of poverty by providing access to finance and capacity building. (NAN)
SYS/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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