From Mu’awiya Bala Idris, Katsina
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Katsina State, Abdulaziz Maituraka, has distributed cash assistance and consumable items to 200 commercial tea sellers and party members as part of his empowerment programme.
Speaking at the event held at Munaj Event Centre in Katsina, Maituraka said each commercial tea seller received crates of eggs, cartons of Indomie noodles, and N20,000 in cash to support their businesses.
He also announced that executives of the APC in Katsina Local Government Area and officials from the 11 wards would receive cash assistance to enable them establish small businesses.
According to him, the empowerment programme, conducted through his foundation, is aimed at alleviating the suffering of the people while reviving and boosting small-scale businesses.
Maituraka said that, given the current economic situation, owners of small businesses require support to remain afloat.
He assured the people that he would introduce more initiatives to assist unemployed youths in becoming self-reliant.
He also called on Nigerians to remain patient with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the government is working hard to address the country’s economic and security challenges.
Maituraka urged Nigerians to support the re-election of President Tinubu and Katsina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda for a second term, citing what he described as their impressive performance in office.
“President Tinubu and Governor Dikko Radda have made remarkable efforts to improve the lives of the people. They deserve another term to continue the good work they have started,” he said.
In his remarks, the APC Chairman in Katsina State, Bishir Gambo Saulawa, commended Maituraka for consistently empowering people and urged all politicians elected on the platform of the party to emulate the gesture.
“We should empower people now, not only on the eve of elections. People need assistance and empowerment to overcome the current economic hardship,” Saulawa said.
He also praised Governor Dikko Radda for creating employment opportunities for youths and women through the Katsina Craft Village and the State Enterprise Development Agency.
Saulawa further commended the governor for awarding the contract for the completion of the Zobe Dam project, which had been abandoned for about 40 years, expressing optimism that its completion would address the state’s water scarcity challenges.
Also speaking, the Deputy Chairman of the APC in the state, Bala Abu Musawa, urged beneficiaries to make good use of the cash assistance and the items provided, warning against misuse of the support.
One of the beneficiaries, Mallam Shuaibu Sani, a commercial tea seller, said the assistance would significantly boost his business.
He described the intervention as the first of its kind and appealed for the programme to be extended to other parts of the state.