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Former First Lady of Kano State, Prof. Hafsat Abdullahi Ganduje, has lauded the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, for launching what she described as a far-reaching and grassroots-focused empowerment programme aimed at lifting women and vulnerable citizens out of poverty.
Speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the unveiling of the Kano Mega Empowerment Programme, Prof. Ganduje said the initiative represents a practical and sustainable intervention designed to address pressing economic challenges at the community level.
She noted that the programme reflects the core values of the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that it demonstrates people-oriented leadership committed to strengthening families and promoting social stability.
“The programme exemplifies true empowerment that is people-focused and designed to combat poverty, strengthen families and promote social stability,” she said.
Prof. Ganduje also used the occasion to call for reconciliation among Kano’s political heavyweights. She appealed to former governors Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to put aside their differences in the interest of peace and development in the state.
According to her, both leaders share a long-standing relationship and should unite in support of the incumbent governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to ensure stability and continuity in governance.
She expressed particular satisfaction that the empowerment initiative targeted APC women leaders alongside other vulnerable groups, noting that the move would not only boost livelihoods but also strengthen grassroots political participation.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, commended Dr. Mahmoud for prioritising human capital development, describing the programme as aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s development agenda.
She urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items distributed to achieve self-reliance and support their families.
Earlier, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, said the programme was aimed at promoting self-reliance and restoring dignity to families struggling with economic hardship.
“Women are the backbone of our homes, communities, and even our political structures. When you empower a woman, you empower a nation,” she said.
She explained that the intervention aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, especially in the areas of women’s inclusion, youth empowerment, and social welfare.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, Kano APC Women Leader, Hajiya Fatima Dala, expressed gratitude to the minister, praising the transparency of the selection process.
“We have had ministers from Kano State, but we have never witnessed this kind of empowerment programme in the history of the state,” she said.
She added that the minister had shown genuine concern for women and vulnerable groups by ensuring that only deserving beneficiaries received support. Dala also called on other political leaders to emulate the initiative, noting the crucial role women play in electoral success.
Items distributed under the programme included cars, motorcycles, tricycles, wheelchairs, sewing machines, grinding machines, spaghetti-making machines, fertilisers, bags of rice, and financial grants.
The Kano Mega Empowerment Programme is expected to boost small-scale enterprises and enhance economic inclusion across communities in the state.
