First Lady’s Anambra, Imo Interventions Demonstrate Inclusive Governance — Ekwunife
Senator Uche Ekwunife, CON, has commended the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her recent visits to Anambra and Imo States, describing the interventions unveiled during the visits as evidence of the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive and grassroots development.
Ekwunife, who said she witnessed the engagements firsthand, noted that the First Lady’s presence in the Southeast provided an important link between the Federal Government and communities in the region.
According to her, the launch of the National Community Food Bank Programme for the Southeast zone in Amawbia, Anambra State, was particularly significant, as it would provide support to vulnerable groups, including widows, elderly persons and people living with disabilities.
She said the initiative went beyond temporary palliatives by providing a structured approach to addressing food insecurity and supporting vulnerable households.
Ekwunife said the intervention aligned with her longstanding advocacy for agricultural support, rural empowerment and social safety nets aimed at reducing poverty and improving the welfare of constituents.
The former National Assembly member also commended the First Lady for inaugurating the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Information and Communications Technology Experience Centre at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko.
She described the facility as an important investment in the future of young people in Anambra, saying it would provide students with digital skills and opportunities to participate in the global digital economy.
According to her, equipping young Nigerians with relevant technology skills would help reduce unemployment, promote entrepreneurship and address some of the factors contributing to youth restiveness.
Ekwunife also applauded the statewide empowerment programme launched at the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, which targeted beneficiaries across the 21 local government areas of Anambra State.
She noted that the distribution of sewing machines, gas cookers, refrigerators and agro-processing equipment would give women, artisans and farmers the means to establish and expand businesses.
“When you empower a woman with a sewing machine or a farmer with processing equipment, you are giving them financial independence, dignity, and the ability to educate their children,” she said.
Ekwunife further described the Renewed Hope Initiative, led by the First Lady, as an important vehicle for delivering interventions in agriculture, economic empowerment, health, education and social investment across the country.
She commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the initiative and for what she described as efforts to combine economic reforms with measures aimed at cushioning vulnerable Nigerians.
According to her, the administration’s policies and the interventions of the Renewed Hope Initiative complement each other by addressing both structural economic challenges and the immediate needs of citizens.
In Imo State, Ekwunife said the First Lady’s visit was equally significant, highlighting the distribution of agricultural inputs, food items and empowerment tools to vulnerable women, widows, youths and persons living with disabilities across the 27 local government areas.
She also noted the commissioning of projects focused on health and women’s development, saying the interventions demonstrated that the Southeast remained part of the Federal Government’s development agenda.
Having served alongside Senator Oluremi Tinubu in the 8th and 9th Senates, Ekwunife said she could personally attest to the First Lady’s compassion, diligence and commitment to public service.
She maintained that the interventions being implemented through the Renewed Hope Initiative reflected qualities she had demonstrated during her years in the Senate.
Ekwunife, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the 2027 Anambra Central Senatorial Election, reaffirmed her commitment to the people of Anambra Central and Anambra State.
She said she would continue to support initiatives capable of improving the welfare and economic prospects of the people.
She also urged beneficiaries to make effective use of the equipment, digital facilities and agricultural support provided, while calling on citizens to promote peace and unity to attract further investment and development to the Southeast.
Ekwunife expressed appreciation to Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her visits to Anambra and Imo, saying the interventions would help create opportunities for vulnerable citizens and contribute to shared prosperity.
