The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu has empowered more than 1,000 women petty traders, residents of Karon Majigi and the Physically Challenged Colony in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Represented at the ceremony by the Wife of the Vice‑President, Hajia Nana Shettima, the First Lady appreciated the community for its continued support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The First Lady’s representative 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.
Items donated to beneficiaries include 39 sewing machines, 13 milling machines, 35 water pumping machines, 45 hair dryers, 16 power chillers and five tricycles.
In addition to these items, 1,000 beneficiaries in Karon Majigi also received N50,000 each to support and expand their small businesses.
The Minister of State, FCT, Mariya Mahmoud, in her goodwill message, commended the First Lady’s focus on inclusivity.
She said; “Today’s programme is 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.
“The empowerment of physically challenged persons is not merely an act of charity; it is an investment in human capacity, self‑reliance and sustainable development.”
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 giving, in order to reduce or alleviate poverty in their homes,” Ibrahim advised.
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,” Suliaman said.
The 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.
Appreciation
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries’ persons with disability in the country, Esther Akwu thanked the First Lady for ongoing support to the disabled community.
Akwu solicited continued attention to the needs of persons with disabilities.
