First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has disbursed N50,000 grants to 1,000 residents of Karon Majigi in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of efforts to support small businesses and improve livelihoods in underserved communities.
The intervention, carried out under the Renewed Hope Initiative, also included the distribution of livelihood equipment to women traders and residents of the Physically Challenged Colony along Airport Road in Abuja.
Mrs Tinubu, who was represented at the event by the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, said the support was designed to help beneficiaries expand their businesses and become more self-reliant amid current economic challenges.
According to her, the empowerment package goes beyond cash support and reflects the administration’s commitment to inclusive development and grassroots economic growth.
The items distributed during the programme included 39 sewing machines, 13 grinding machines, 35 water pumping machines, 45 hair dryers, 16 power chillers and five keke trucks for business and commercial activities.
In addition to the equipment, 1,000 beneficiaries received N50,000 each to support petty trading and other small-scale businesses within the community.
Speaking during the distribution ceremony held in Karon Majigi on Saturday, Nana Shettima thanked residents for their support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration and assured them that the government would continue to implement programmes targeted at improving living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.
She also disclosed that the construction of a new secondary school in the community, facilitated through a partnership between the Renewed Hope Initiative and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), is already ongoing.
According to her, the project would help improve access to education for children in the area and would be completed soon.
The programme attracted community leaders, government officials, APC women leaders and persons with disabilities, many of whom described the intervention as timely.
APC Women Leader in the FCT, Farida Suliaman, said the empowerment programme would benefit different groups across the community and not only women.
“This empowerment is not just for women, it’s for women, youth, men, everybody,” she said.
“You have been giving us not today, and I know you will continue to give us more.”
Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Mahmoud, described the programme as a reflection of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
She said the administration remains focused on inclusion, empowerment and support for vulnerable Nigerians, including persons living with disabilities.
“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,” Mahmoud said.
“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.”
The minister added that the FCT Administration would continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure equal opportunities and improved accessibility for persons with disabilities across the territory.
Also speaking at the event, APC Deputy National Women Leader, Zainab Ibrahim, urged beneficiaries to make proper use of the grants and equipment distributed to them.
According to her, the initiative was designed to create long-term economic value for families and communities rather than temporary relief.
“This is the case of teaching someone how to fish rather than giving you fish to eat and forget,” she said.
“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.”
Community leaders in Karon Majigi also commended the First Lady for extending support to residents and vulnerable groups within the FCT.
District Head of Karon Majigi, Yunusa Bako, thanked Mrs Tinubu for the intervention and appealed for additional support in key areas including road infrastructure, water supply and education.
He said the community still faces several developmental challenges and requires government attention to improve living standards for residents.
“Your commitment to improving the life of individual citizens through the empowerment initiative demonstrates compassionate leadership and dedication to national development,” Bako said.
The traditional ruler also appealed for government intervention in the completion of a community school project initiated by a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) before it was stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to him, completing the project would create lasting value for children and future generations within the area.
At the Physically Challenged Colony on Airport Road, beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the support received from the First Lady’s office.
Speaking on behalf of persons with disabilities, Esther Akwu thanked the First Lady for what she described as continuous support for the disabled community in Abuja.
“We really appreciate you,” Akwu said.
“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.”
She also called for sustained attention to the needs of persons living with disabilities, especially in the areas of empowerment, welfare and accessibility.
The ceremony ended with cultural displays, presentation of gifts and the unveiling of a portrait commemorating the First Lady’s previous visit to the community.
