The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has reinforced the party’s commitment to youth empowerment and grassroots economic development with the rollout of the Renewed Hope Scale-Up Programme, impacting over 1,400 young Nigerians through tools distribution and financial grants.
At a high-profile empowerment event held in Jos, Plateau State, Yilwatda supervised the distribution of 727 sets of income-generating equipment, strategically designed to help beneficiaries establish and grow sustainable businesses across various sectors.
The items distributed cut across multiple trades and vocations, including 20 tricycles, 33 catering sets, 26 embroidery machines with pressing irons, 172 sewing machines, 75 welding and fabrication toolboxes, 16 dry grinding machines, 9 wet grinding machines, 100 auto mechanic toolboxes, 75 carpentry toolboxes, 110 POS machines with ₦100,000 startup capital each, 20 make-up toolboxes, and 71 phone repair toolkits powered with solar panels and cloud-based energy stations.
Beyond tools, the programme delivered a significant financial boost with ₦280 million disbursed to beneficiaries under four categories: 60 individuals received ₦1 million each; 140 beneficiaries got ₦500,000 each; 300 individuals received ₦200,000 each; while 900 beneficiaries were supported with ₦100,000 each. The funding aims to provide immediate capital for small and medium-scale enterprises, accelerating business take-off and expansion.
Speaking at the event, Yilwatda described the initiative as a clear demonstration of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, focused on job creation, poverty reduction, and youth-led economic growth.
He reflected on his longstanding grassroots interventions, particularly a farmer-support initiative launched in 2018, which he said continues to deliver measurable impact. According to him, real change begins when individuals take responsibility for improving others’ lives, describing the programme as both a moral obligation and a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future.
The APC chairman expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, noting that his emergence as National Chairman was by divine grace. He pledged to use his office to connect Nigerians with opportunities and drive inclusive development nationwide.
Highlighting the administration’s broader economic vision, Yilwatda pointed to ambitious infrastructure projects aimed at building a $1 trillion economy. These include new seaport and airport developments, rail expansion from Lagos to Kano, and major road corridors such as the Sokoto–Badagry highway and the Calabar–Lagos coastal road, all designed to boost productivity, enhance trade, and position Nigeria as a leading economic force in Africa.
He urged beneficiaries to embrace entrepreneurship, stressing that small businesses can evolve into global enterprises with the right support. He also assured them of continued access to financing through the Bank of Industry and export development training via the Nigerian Export Promotion Council to integrate local enterprises into international markets.
Yilwatda further disclosed plans for a structured monitoring and evaluation framework to track beneficiaries’ progress and identify high performers for additional support through institutions such as the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI). He also reiterated the Federal Government’s policy backing for small businesses, including tax relief measures to create a more enabling business environment.
Representing the Plateau State Governor, the Deputy Governor, Josephine Piyo, commended the initiative, describing it as a reflection of selfless leadership and a strong commitment to improving citizens’ livelihoods. She noted that Yilwatda has brought pride to the state and demonstrated that leadership must translate into tangible benefits for the people.
In a statement, the Special Adviser to the APC National Chairman on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, urged beneficiaries to make prudent use of the support provided, emphasising discipline, focus, and enterprise as essential ingredients for success. She expressed confidence that the programme would nurture a new generation of business leaders and industrialists.
The Renewed Hope Scale-Up Programme stands as a bold intervention aimed at building a resilient, inclusive, and youth-driven economy, reinforcing the APC’s commitment to sustainable development and grassroots empowerment across Nigeria.
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