Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the South-East Women Mega Empowerment and the All Progressives Congress' Women Mobilisation Directorate's campaign across the six geopolitical zones. The event took place in Enugu, where she flagged off the initiative, saying Nigeria is stepping into prosperity following President Bola Tinubu's economic reforms. Senator Tinubu conveyed President Tinubu's goodwill message and urged Nigerians not to be discouraged by economic challenges associated with the President's reforms.
The rally, which included the distribution of empowerment materials, attracted women leaders and members of the party from Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Imo, and Anambra states. Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, Governors Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, as well as the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, were also in attendance. The empowerment materials included sewing machines, food processors, electricity generating sets, and popcorn machines to support women's economic activities and small-scale businesses.
Senator Tinubu described the empowerment initiative as an indication of the APC government's commitment to translating its promises into practical interventions. She expressed appreciation to the people of the South-East for their reception and support, recalling that she had visited the region several times since her husband's assumption of office. Senator Tinubu announced additional empowerment programmes for women and elderly persons in Enugu State, promising that on December 3, APC senatorial candidates would be provided with funds to empower 250 women each with ₦200,000 to establish businesses.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State welcomed the First Lady and acknowledged the contributions of women to families, communities, and national development. He said the rally was designed to empower more than 5,000 women across the South-East and that his office had supported more than 2,000 Enugu women through cash assistance, payment of hospital bills, and the provision of tools to enable them to establish and expand businesses. Mbah linked his administration's development milestones to the economic reforms of the Federal Government, particularly the increased resources available to states through federation allocations.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, said the South-East would not accept a proposed four-year presidential tenure arrangement for a President of Igbo extraction. He insisted that the region must seek an eight-year tenure when it eventually produces the nation's president and called on the people of the South-East to support Tinubu's re-election bid come 2027. Kalu cited the President's appointments of people from the South-East into his cabinet and other federal initiatives as indications of his administration's engagement with the region.
Other dignitaries, including Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, urged party members and supporters to work towards securing a second term for President Tinubu. They emphasized the importance of increased political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections. The rally was marked by the presentation of empowerment equipment to women from across the five South-East states.
The event concluded with calls by party leaders for increased political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections. Senator Tinubu urged the women to mobilise support for President Tinubu and APC candidates, asking them to hold political aspirants accountable for their records of empowerment and development interventions. The First Lady's visit to the region is part of her efforts to engage with the people and promote the APC government's initiatives.
Key points
- Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, launches South-East Women Mega Empowerment to support women's economic activities and small-scale businesses.
- The initiative aims to empower over 5,000 women across the South-East region.
- Party leaders urge increased political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
