The Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmud, has empowered Kano state women with 4,064 items received by All Progressives Congress (APC) women leaders and vulnerable citizens across the 44 local government areas of Kano State.
Speaking at the mega empowerment event held in Kano, Mahmud said the initiative was designed to promote inclusion, restore dignity, and strengthen economic self-reliance among women and other vulnerable groups.
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She acknowledged the loyalty, sacrifices, and pivotal roles women play as mobilisers, peacemakers, and agents of positive change within families, communities, and the political space.
She described the gathering as a symbol of hope and shared responsibility, the minister noted that empowering women and vulnerable citizens remained a sustainable pathway to development.
Dr Mariya commended the APC leadership in Kano, particularly women leaders at the grassroots, for their resilience, dedication, and mobilisation efforts, which she said had strengthened democratic participation in the state.
Mahmud stressed that the programme went beyond the distribution of material items, stressing that its core objective was to unlock potential and ensure that no segment of society was left behind. “Women form the backbone of families, communities, and political structures. Empowering a woman empowers an entire household and society at large,” she said.
According to her, the initiative aligns with the APC’s progressive ideals of social justice and inclusive growth, while also addressing prevailing economic challenges. According to her. the empowerment items were intended to promote self-reliance, stimulate local productivity, boost household incomes, and enable beneficiaries to contribute meaningfully to community and economic development.
The minister further lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for prioritising social investment, women inclusion, youth empowerment, and the welfare of vulnerable Nigerians, noting that the Kano programme was a clear reflection of the administration’s people-centred vision.
She urged beneficiaries to utilise the items responsibly, describing them as symbols of trust, opportunity, and shared commitment to national development.
Items distributed during the programme included six cars, 35 motorcycles, 200 spaghetti-making machines with flour, 200 grinding machines, 400 bags of fertiliser, 1,000 bags of rice, 30 tricycle wheelchairs for persons with disabilities, 200 sewing machines, as well as a cash grant of ₦30,000 each to 2,000 beneficiaries.
In his welcome remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Administration and Strategy, and Chairman of the Working Coordination Committee, Dr. Abdullahi Kauran-Mata, described the empowerment programme as a practical demonstration of commitment to uplifting lives and strengthening livelihoods.
He said the initiative was aimed at equipping beneficiaries with the tools and opportunities needed to become economically resilient and productive.
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Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Productivity Centre (NPC), Bappa Dan’Agundi, and the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Ahmed, commended Mahmud for the initiative, describing it as a significant step toward promoting productivity and self-reliance among women across Kano State.
Some beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the support. Aisha Abdullahi, who received a sewing machine, said the empowerment would enable her to start her own business and earn a sustainable income. Another beneficiary, Amina Sadiq, who received a grinding machine, described the programme as timely, noting that it would improve her earnings and support her household.
