Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, stated on Saturday that the worst of the nation’s economic challenges was over as the country stepped into prosperity driven by President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms.
Speaking in Enugu at the flag-off of the South-East Women Mega Empowerment and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Mobilisation Directorate’s campaign across the six geopolitical zones, Senator Tinubu likened the reform process to childbirth, noting that labour pains ultimately lead to delivery.
The rally featured the distribution of empowerment materials including sewing machines, food processors, electricity-generating sets, and popcorn machines to women from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states to support small-scale enterprises. Dignitaries in attendance included the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima; Governors Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), and Peter Mbah (Enugu); as well as Anambra Deputy Governor Onyekachukwu Ibezim.
Expanding on the administration’s support initiatives, Senator Tinubu announced that on December 3, APC senatorial candidates will receive funds to empower 250 women each with ?200,000 to establish businesses. A separate empowerment programme for 250 elderly persons aged 65 and above is scheduled for December 17, bringing the total beneficiaries to 750 across the three senatorial districts of Enugu State.
Peter Mbah ,Enugu State Governor commended the initiative, noting that his administration has partnered with the First Lady’s office to support thousands of women through cash assistance, medical bill settlements, and business tools. Governor Mbah credited federal economic reforms and increased federation allocations for funding development projects such as Smart Green Schools and primary healthcare centres across the state.
Throwing the region’s weight behind the administration, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu asserted that Ndigbo were not part of any one-term presidency arrangement and deserved an eight-year tenure when an individual of Igbo extraction assumes the presidency. Kalu urged the South-East to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, citing long-term federal commitments such as the establishment of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) and key regional appointments.
Governors Uzodimma and Nwifuru similarly echoed support for the President’s second-term project, urging party members to ensure robust mobilisation ahead of the general elections. Other prominent figures present included Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Doris Uzoka-Anite; Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Dr Kingsley Udeh (SAN); and Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.