The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Abbas Tajudeen, has empowered farmers, traders, artisans, women and young peopl...
Speaking at the event, the Speaker said the programme was designed to widen economic participation by providing capital and tools to residents who have skills and determination but lack the means to start or expand businesses.
He described the initiative as an investment in productivity, not charity, aimed at helping beneficiaries build sustainable businesses.
"Many people are willing to work but a missing machine or limited capital prevents a good idea from becoming a viable business. This programme helps them move from readiness to results," he said.
Speaker Abbas said items such as sewing machines, farming equipment, business grants and technical tools can become sources of income and improve productivity, but success depends on proper management.
He urged beneficiaries to keep proper records, set fair prices, save part of their earnings, maintain equipment and build customer trust.
He also encouraged beneficiaries to work together through cooperatives and joint orders to reduce costs and share information on markets and training.
The Speaker emphasized the central role of women in the local economy, noting that when women earn stable incomes, benefits extend to children, education, nutrition and healthcare.
He said supporting youth with skills, capital and market access provides not only income but confidence, dignity and a stake in community peace, describing enterprise as both economic and security policy.
Speaker Abbas said his interventions across communities have focused on linking education to employment and skills to enterprise through investments in classrooms, skills centres and economic assistance.
He noted that the House of Representatives has advanced legislation to make work easier and opportunities wider.
Dr Tajuddeen said the programme aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's agenda to increase production, strengthen public finances and attract private investment, acknowledging that the reforms have come with hardship for families.
"I thank Nigerians for their patience and perseverance. Their endurance has given the country time to correct deep economic weaknesses," he said, adding that government must now shorten the distance between economic recovery and household relief.
He said recent assessments show improved growth, public revenue and investment, with greater resources to states, which must now translate to better food production, transport, education, healthcare and employment.
According to him, empowerment must go beyond distribution to include mentoring, training and measurement of outcomes such as business survival, income growth, job creation and skills transfer.
He charged implementing officials to ensure fairness and ensure support reaches genuine beneficiaries based on need and merit, not political connections.
The Speaker Abbas also urged beneficiaries to use the items for their intended purpose and make them productive.
On the 2027 elections, Speaker Abbas urged Nigerians to assess leaders by what their policies make possible, noting that President Tinubu took difficult but necessary economic decisions to avoid greater national costs.
He appealed to the people of Kaduna State to support President Tinubu for a second term, Governor Uba Sani for continuity of development in the state, and APC candidates at all levels.
He charged beneficiaries to "begin carefully, work consistently, serve honestly and grow steadily."
The empowerment programme was attended by party leaders, stakeholders, women and youth groups.
No comments