In a major boost to women inclusion and grassroots economic development, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has empowered 4,064 women leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and vulnerable citizens across the 44 Local Government Areas of Kano State.
The empowerment exercise, which took place at a mega empowerment programme in Kano weekend, saw the distribution of various items aimed at promoting self-reliance, productivity, and economic resilience among beneficiaries.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mahmoud said the programme was organised to appreciate the loyalty, sacrifices, and unwavering commitment of APC women leaders who have continued to serve as grassroots mobilisers, peacemakers, and agents of change within their communities.
She described the gathering as a symbol of hope, inclusion, and progress, stressing that sustainable development can only be achieved when women and vulnerable citizens are deliberately empowered.
The Minister commended the leadership of the APC in Kano State, particularly the women leaders, for their resilience, dedication, and effective grassroots mobilisation, noting that their efforts have strengthened the party’s structures and deepened democratic participation at the local level.
Dr. Mahmoud emphasised that the initiative was not a handout programme, but a deliberate intervention aimed at restoring dignity, unlocking potential, and ensuring that no segment of society is left behind.
“Women remain the backbone of families, communities, and political structures. When a woman is empowered, the entire household and society benefit,” she said.
According to her, the programme aligns with the APC’s progressive ideals of social justice, inclusive growth, and shared prosperity, adding that it was designed to tackle economic challenges by encouraging self-reliance over dependency, stimulating local productivity, increasing household incomes, and enabling beneficiaries to contribute meaningfully to community development.
She noted that the empowerment items would serve as stepping stones to sustainable livelihoods, urging beneficiaries to utilise the resources responsibly and expand their impact beyond their immediate households.
Dr. Mahmoud also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing it as a people-centred vision that prioritises social investment, women inclusion, youth empowerment, and the welfare of vulnerable Nigerians.
She called on beneficiaries and party stakeholders to continue fostering peaceful coexistence, cooperation, and unity, while working collectively for the development of Kano State and the strengthening of Nigeria’s democracy.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister of State on Administration and Strategy and Chairman of the Working Coordination Committee, Dr. Abdullahi Isa Kauranmata, said the programme demonstrated a shared commitment to uplifting lives and strengthening livelihoods across the state.
“This initiative has been carefully designed to provide practical support, skills, and opportunities that will empower our people—especially women and vulnerable citizens—to become self-reliant, productive, and economically resilient,” he said.
He commended all stakeholders for their leadership, vision, and collaboration, which he said were instrumental to the successful execution of the programme.