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From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has warned the party’s women leaders not to merchandise with wrappers the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu gave to Nigerian women.
Speaking during the official presentation of the bail of wrappers to the women leaders at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday, Ganduje directed that the wrappers should be freely given to the Nigerian women without demanding anything from them.
The First Lady, represented by the wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima, urged the women to manage the number of wrappers in good faith and assured them that more such programmes are on the way.
Issuing his warnings, Ganduje said: “This programme is financial inclusiveness for women has to be encouraged because the whole problem is financial though there is an element of culture and religion with time all these will give way for full women participation.
“So, Second Lady, this is a good omen to improve the financial stand of our women. I’m happy to hear that this program is for women who are already in the fabrics business and their business is down due to the present economic challenge which is all over the world.
“By introducing this programme these are assets because they will increase their goods and when they sell them they will buy more wrappers to shore up their businesses. I now advise, those who are in charge of this programme, the first and second ladies have done their own.
“What is left is for you to be honest, transparent and nationalistic so that these wrappers will go to the target group. Secondly, these wrappers don’t expect anything from there, don’t expect transport fare, they are free, give them free,” he warned.
Responding, Nana Shettima noted: “Sincerely, the little present we came with to support our APC women leaders who are into the fabrics business. Probably, the quantity might not be to your expectations but I urge you to take it in good faith and to assure you that more of such programs are on the way.
“Without flattering her excellency within the one year has crisscrossed the 36 states. She has been to the six geopolitical zones. She is someone who is eager and wants to see changes in the country. My appeal to all of us here is to be our sister’s keepers.
“No matter what let us appreciate one another. We all know it is easy to destroy but very difficult to build. To our president, I believe he is also a gender-friendly person like the first lady. He has given so many opportunities to women as ministers and head of MDAs in his government,” she said.
