First Lady Empowers 1,000 Petty Traders in FCT Community

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has empowered more than 1,000 petty traders, including women, youths, and persons with disabilities, in Karon Majigi and the Physically Challenged Colony in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in a major economic support intervention under the Renewed Hope Initiative.

The empowerment programme, carried out on her behalf by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, featured the distribution of equipment and cash grants aimed at boosting small businesses and improving livelihoods within the community.

Items distributed include 39 sewing machines, 13 grinding machines, 35 water pumping machines, 45 hair dryers, 16 power chillers, and five tricycle (keke) trucks. In addition, 1,000 beneficiaries in Karon Majigi each received ₦50,000 to support or expand their petty trading activities.

Officials say the intervention is part of ongoing efforts to promote grassroots economic empowerment, financial inclusion, and self-reliance among vulnerable groups in society.

Speaking at the event, Hajia Nana Shettima commended residents for their continued support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusive development.

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She also announced that a new secondary school project for the community, being executed through the Renewed Hope Initiative in collaboration with the Federal Capital Territory Administration, is currently under construction and will be completed soon.

The Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Mahmoud, praised the initiative, describing it as a practical demonstration of the Renewed Hope Agenda. She said the empowerment of vulnerable groups, particularly persons with disabilities, reflects an investment in human capital and sustainable development rather than charity.

“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,” she said.

The APC Deputy National Women Leader, Zainab Ibrahim, urged beneficiaries to make effective use of the items and funds received, stressing that the gesture was designed to create long-term economic stability.

“This is the case of teaching someone how to fish rather than giving fish to eat and forget,” she said, calling on beneficiaries to use the support judiciously.

Similarly, APC Women Leader in the FCT, Farida Sulaiman, described the intervention as part of a sustained empowerment programme for women, youths, and vulnerable groups in the territory, expressing optimism that such support would continue.

Community leaders also expressed appreciation for the initiative but called for further government assistance in infrastructure and social services.

The District Head of Karon Majigi, Yunusa Bako, thanked the First Lady while appealing for improved road networks, reliable water supply, qualified teachers, and completion of stalled school projects in the area. He also drew attention to an unfinished community school project initiated during the COVID-19 period, urging government intervention to complete it.

“We humbly request 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,” he said.

Representing persons with disabilities, community advocate Esther Akwu expressed gratitude for the intervention, noting that previous support from the First Lady had already impacted lives positively. She, however, called for sustained attention to the needs of PWDs across the FCT.

The ceremony featured cultural performances, presentations of traditional gifts, and the unveiling of a commemorative portrait in honour of the First Lady’s continued engagement with the community.