MARIYA MAHMOUD LAUDED FOR GRASSROOTS-DRIVEN EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE

By: Austine Elemue

Former First Lady of Kano State, Prof. Hafsat Abdullahi Ganduje, has commended the Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, for launching the Kano Mega Empowerment Programme, describing it as a practical and sustainable initiative aimed at addressing the economic needs of women and vulnerable citizens.

Speaking as a Special Guest of Honour at the unveiling ceremony of the Kano Mega Empowerment Programme Ganduje praised Mahmoud’s foresight and compassion, noting that the gesture was a demonstration of the true spirit of the All-Progressives Congress.

“The programme exemplifies true empowerment that is people-focused and designed to combat poverty, strengthen families, and promote social stability,” she affirmed.

Prof. Ganduje who also used the occasion to sue for peace among political heavy weights in Kano State, urged former governor, Abdullahi Ganduje and his predecessor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to sheath their sword in the interest of the State.

“I must use this opportunity to remind the former governors that they are not just friends but brothers. They should please come together and support the current governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, to finish his tenure just as Rabiu Kwankwaso supported Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to become governor and today both of them are former governors.”

Prof. Ganduje expressed particular delight that the programme targets APC women leaders alongside vulnerable groups, bolstering both personal livelihoods and party strength at the grassroots level.

She congratulated the Minister and all partners, affirming that responsive leadership combined with empathy could profoundly change lives.

Speaking in the same vein, Minister of State for Education Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad noted that the FCT Minister of State has shown that she has the interest of the people at heart, which is one of the key areas of priority of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which is human capital development.

She urged the beneficiaries to ensure proper utilisation of the items not only for their own self-reliance but also for their families.

Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, the APC women leader in the State, Hajiya Fatima Dala, thanked the minister for the gesture, especially for ensuring a transparent process of reaching out to the actual beneficiaries was mapped out.

“We have had ministers from Kano State, but we have never seen such an empowerment programme in the history of Kano State.

“The Minister has demonstrated concern for women and the vulnerable by ensuring that only those who deserve these items actually benefit from them.

“I urge other beneficiaries to please make good use of these items to be self-reliant. Let me also use this opportunity to call on other politicians to emulate the minister by empowering more women because we have the bulk vote.”

Empowerment items distributed include cars, motorcycles, fertilizers, rice, and sewing machines.

Others include tricycles, wheelchairs, spaghetti-making machines, grinding machines, and financial empowerment.