FG’s empowerment aims to reduce poverty, dependency – First Lady

Oluremi Tinubu, Wife of the President, on Saturday, said empowering petty traders, including women, youths and the Physically Challenged, was aimed at strengthening human capital, reducing poverty and enhancing self- reliance

The First Lady stated this while empowering the over 1000 petty traders, at a Colony in Karon Majigi area of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, aimed at reducing poverty and dependency

She noted that empowerment of the physically challenged persons and others “is not merely an act of charity; it is an investment in human capacity, self‑reliance and sustainable development.”

Represented at the ceremony by the Wife of the Vice‑President, Nana Shettima, the First Lady commended the community for its continued support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

The donated items include 39 sewing machines, 13 grinding machines, 35 water pumping machines, 45 hair dryers, 16 power chillers and five keke (tricycle) trucks.

In addition, each of the 1,000 beneficiaries also received N50,000 to support and expand their small businesses.
She also announced that the construction of a new secondary school in the community—facilitated by the Renewed Hope Initiative in partnership with the Federal Capital Territory Administration—is underway and will be completed soon.

Mariya Mahmoud, Minister of State, FCT, in her goodwill message, commended the First Lady’s focus on inclusivity.

The Minister described the programme as a “clear demonstration of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, which places the welfare, inclusion and empowerment of all Nigerians at the centre of governance”.

APC Deputy National Women Leader Zainab Ibrahim urged beneficiaries to make prudent use of the grants.

“This is the case of teaching someone how to fish rather than giving you fish to eat and forget”.

“I want to urge the beneficiaries to make sure that they judiciously use what they are given, in order to reduce or alleviate poverty in their homes.”

The APC women leader in the FCT, Farida Suliaman, assured the community that this gesture, which has been the practice of the First Lady to them, will be continuous.

“This empowerment is not just for women, it’s for women, youth, men, everybody”.

“You have been giving us not today, and I know you will continue to give us more.”

Various community leaders who spoke at the event welcomed the intervention while pressing for further assistance.

District Head of Karamajiji, Yunusa Bako, thanked the First Lady and appealed for follow‑up support in road and infrastructural development, reliable water supply, more qualified teachers and completion of school projects.

“Your commitment to improving the lives of individual citizens through the empowerment initiative demonstrates compassionate leadership and dedication to national development”.
Bako also drew attention to a community school project started by a National Youth Service Corps member that stalled during the COVID‑19 pandemic and appealed for government help to complete it.

“We humbly request for your support and intervention towards the completion of this noble project so that the vision shall become a lasting legacy for our children and future generations”.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, persons with disabilities in the country, Esther Akwu, for ongoing support to the disabled community.

“The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria sent 85 bags of rice to our community and empowered many of us with support. We are eternally grateful for this new gesture done for PWDs in this city as a whole.”

Akwu urged continued attention to the needs of persons with disabilities

The ceremony also witnessed several cultural presentations to showcase their rich cultural heritage and the formal handing over of traditional gifts and a portrait commemorating the First Lady’s previous visits.