By Hussaini Yero, Funtua
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu saluted petty traders for their resilience in building and sustaining businesses despite challenges affecting the economy.
The First Lady asserted that during an event where she gave fifty thousand Naira (N50,000) each to women petty traders in Zamfara held in Gusau on Thursday.
Oluremi who was represented by the Zamfara Governor’s Wife, Hajiya Huriyya, Dauda Lawal, said the 1000 women petty traders who were the beneficiaries of this programme.
Said her :- “You are the heart of our local economy, the foundation of our communities, and the heroes of our nation.
“We are all aware of the challenges faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), especially the petty traders, who form the backbone of our local economies.
“We celebrate your hard work and determination. Let us all continue to work together to build a Nigeria where every woman has the opportunity to succeed and where every small business can grow and contribute to our nation’s prosperity.
“Through the Renewed Hope Initiative, Economic Empowerment Programme, we are providing 1,000 preselected women petty traders of the state with a grant of N50,000 each to recapitalise and grow their businesses.
She said the business grants provided was to assist women and petty traders in overcoming some of their business issues, expanding their businesses, creating more jobs, and improving the nation’s economy.
First Lady stated that the Economic Empowerment Programme remains the core objective of the Renewed Hope Initiative and has consistently delivered on this promise for both women and youth across the country.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Commerce Trade and Tourism, Alhaji Abdulrahman Tunbido commended the Federal Government for the intervention, added that the programme is timely.
Tunbido explained that, Zamfara has already been grounded by the insecurity which resulted in the collapse all sectors of the economy and appreciated the gesture as it will go a long way in relieving the people.
He stated further that, this was in line with the state government rescue mission of addressing poverty and other humanitarian crises.