The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has empowered 5,000 women in the South-East geopolitical zone, maintaining that President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms are gradually pushing Nigeria towards prosperity.

Mrs Tinubu stated this on Saturday during the South-East flag-off of the 2027 All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Mobilisation Directorate and Presidential Women Campaign Council at Okpara Square, Enugu.

The mega rally and empowerment programme were organised as part of grassroots mobilisation efforts to garner support for the re-election of Mr Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima in the 2027 general elections.

The women were empowered with sewing machines, popcorn machines and grinding machines.

Addressing the women, Mrs Tinubu said the difficult phase of the federal government’s economic reforms was gradually giving way to prosperity.

She urged Nigerians to remain patient and supportive of the administration, assuring them that the sacrifices made under the reforms would yield positive results.

“We are carrying out reforms that will bring prosperity to our children. Don’t let anybody deceive you. The difficult work is over. We are now stepping into prosperity,” she said.

The first lady said the empowerment programme demonstrated the APC-led administration’s commitment to improving the living conditions of Nigerians, particularly women and vulnerable groups.

According to her, the government was committed to translating its promises into concrete actions that positively affect the lives of citizens.

“Have you ever seen people carrying out empowerment programmes while campaigning? That is what you are witnessing today. You are now seeing what the APC government is all about. We don’t just talk; we act.

“We are not a government that talks without doing anything. We talk and we deliver,” she said.

The president’s wife expressed appreciation to the people of the South-East for the love and support they had shown her since the inception of her husband’s administration.

She particularly thanked them for honouring her with four prestigious traditional titles, describing the gesture as a demonstration of their affection and acceptance.

Mrs Tinubu assured women that they would continue to benefit from empowerment initiatives designed to promote financial independence and economic inclusion.

She disclosed that additional empowerment programmes had been scheduled for December to support persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

“On Dec. 3, which is World Disability Day, we will empower 250 persons with disabilities. Each beneficiary will receive N200,000 to start or support a business.

“We believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to engage in meaningful economic activities and become financially independent.

“On Dec. 17, we will also empower another 250 people.

“Altogether, we are targetting 750 beneficiaries across the senatorial zones in Enugu state through these empowerment initiatives, where 250 persons will be empowered,” she said.

The first lady also challenged APC candidates seeking elective positions in 2027 to initiate programmes that would improve the welfare of women, youths and elderly persons.

She said the APC would intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections to ensure the party’s victory at all levels.

She called on women to support APC candidates for the presidency, governorship, National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly, saying: “We are going to vote for APC from top to bottom.”

Earlier, the wife of the Enugu State governor, Nkechinyere Mbah, commended the first lady for her commitment to improving the welfare of women, children and vulnerable families through the Renewed Hope Initiative.

Mrs Mbah, who spoke on behalf of the wives of South-East governors, expressed appreciation to Mrs Tinubu for attending the event and supporting women in the zone.

She also commended the president for implementing programmes under the Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians.

Also speaking, the APC national women leader, Mary Idele, said women across the country were fully mobilised to ensure the party’s victory in the 2027 general elections.

Mrs Idele said the women mobilisation directorate was committed to taking the party’s message to communities and grassroots supporters across the country.

She described the South-East rally as a demonstration of the determination of APC women to work tirelessly for Tinubu’s re-election, urging the women to remain united and committed to the party’s political activities ahead of the forthcoming polls. 

(NAN)