First Lady Oluremi Tinubu distributed local fabric materials to the Forum of 36 State Women Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Federal Capital Territory on Wednesday. This action was part of the Renewed Hope Initiative, recognizing their support. Represented by Hajia Nana, the wife of Vice President Kashim Shettima, and her team, Tinubu made the donation at the APC national secretariat in Abuja. The delegation included the spouses of prominent political figures, such as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Senate President, the Chief of Staff, and various ministers’ wives.
The donation followed concerns raised by the women leaders about being neglected by President Bola Tinubu’s administration despite their contributions to his election victory. Led by Forum President Patricia Yakubu, the women had previously voiced their grievances to APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, noting that their post-election benefits were limited to a bag of rice and a paper wrapper each.
During the donation, Shettima commended the First Lady’s efforts in promoting inclusiveness and women empowerment within the party. She emphasized that the fabric materials were intended for APC women involved in the fabric business. She highlighted the First Lady’s commitment to supporting women and recalled her past support during the Boko Haram crisis in Borno State.
Shettima encouraged the recipients to view the donation positively, acknowledging that while the quantity might be less than expected, it was a gesture of support with more initiatives to follow. She urged the women to be supportive of each other and to appreciate their collective efforts in building rather than destroying.
APC National Chairman Ganduje praised the First Lady’s gesture, linking it to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He noted that the program aimed to boost the financial status of women in the fabric business, helping them to recover from economic challenges. Ganduje stressed the importance of honesty, transparency, and fairness in distributing the donated materials, urging that no charges, including transport fares, be applied to the recipients.