By: Nwakaji Peace Martins
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, cautioned the female leaders of the party against commercializing the wrappers gifted to Nigerian women by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.
Addressing the women leaders during the formal distribution of the wrappers at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja yesterday, Ganduje instructed that the wrappers should be given to Nigerian women without any expectation of remuneration.
The First Lady, represented by the Vice President’s wife, Nana Shettima, encouraged the women to use the wrappers judiciously and assured them that more similar initiatives were forthcoming.
In issuing his admonition, Ganduje remarked, “This initiative aims to promote financial inclusivity for women and should be supported. While cultural and religious factors play a role, financial challenges are paramount. However, over time, these barriers will diminish, leading to increased female participation.”
“Therefore, Second Lady, this initiative is a positive step towards enhancing the financial independence of our women. I am pleased to learn that this program targets women involved in the textile industry, particularly those affected by the current global economic downturn.”
“Through this initiative, these wrappers are valuable assets that will boost their inventory. By selling these goods, they can reinvest in more fabrics to sustain and expand their businesses. I urge those overseeing this program to uphold integrity, transparency, and patriotism to ensure that the wrappers reach the intended recipients. Moreover, the recipients should not be burdened with additional costs; they should be distributed freely.”
In response, Nana Shettima stated, “Truly, this token is our contribution to support our female APC leaders engaged in the textile industry. While the quantity may not meet your expectations, I encourage you to accept it graciously, with the assurance that more similar initiatives are forthcoming.”
