LOKOJA — Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has launched a ₦100m ($61,000) empowerment scheme aimed at supporting 2,000 small-scale traders in the central state of Kogi.
The initiative, part of the government’s broader “Renewed Hope” social investment agenda, intends to provide direct financial support to recapitalise petty businesses and alleviate poverty at the grassroots level.
Speaking at the launch in the state capital, Lokoja, Mrs Tinubu urged citizens to value all forms of legitimate labor. “No one should look down on any legitimate means of livelihood,” she said, adding that the country is richly endowed with economic opportunities that must be harnessed for national development.
A boost for food security
The cash injection coincided with the rollout of the third phase of the National Community Food Bank Programme for Nigeria’s North Central region. The food security initiative, which has already been introduced in the northern states of Borno and Jigawa, specifically targets vulnerable households, including lactating mothers and malnourished children. It is being implemented alongside the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA). The government is facing intense pressure to tackle rising food inflation and economic hardship across the country. Mrs Tinubu called on state governors and traditional rulers to actively support the programme to ensure it reaches those most in need.
Government praises ‘action over theory‘
The event drew praise from senior government figures, including the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, who hailed the intervention as a practical step toward shielding vulnerable communities from economic shocks.”This ₦100 million intervention for petty traders is a direct intervention for direct impact,” Mr. Enikanolaiye told journalists. “It shows the agenda is not theory—it is action.”The minister also commended the Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, for prioritizing local welfare.
During the visit, officials commissioned several new infrastructure projects in Lokoja, including: A newly upgraded primary healthcare centre, the headquarters for the Kogi State Health Insurance Agency, the regional hub for the community food bank.
Security concerns remain
The high-profile visit took place against the backdrop of ongoing security challenges in Nigeria. Mr. Enikanolaiye used the platform to acknowledge the recent safe rescue of abducted citizens in Kogi and Oyo states, emphasizing that safeguarding lives remains the government’s “non-negotiable” priority.
Add Comment