Ibrahim Suleiman
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has empowered constituents with business equipment to promote self-reliance, create jobs and improve livelihoods.
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Speaking at an empowerment programme in Zaria, Abbas said the initiative reflected his commitment to economic development, skills acquisition and entrepreneurship. Beneficiaries received sewing machines, freezers, diagnostic scanners and other equipment.
Other items distributed included mechanical tools, welding equipment, vulcanising machines and solar systems, aimed at strengthening small businesses, creating employment opportunities and improving the economic well-being of beneficiaries and their families.
The Speaker urged beneficiaries to maintain the equipment, keep proper business records and provide quality services. He also encouraged them to transfer their acquired skills to others as their businesses expanded.
Abbas expressed gratitude to the people of Zaria for their continued support, saying his position had provided a stronger platform for attracting development projects and interventions to the constituency.
He attributed the achievements to collaboration with President Bola Tinubu, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, the National Assembly and the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging constituents to sustain their support.
The Speaker described Zaria’s selection to host the APC presidential campaign flag-off as significant, saying it underscored the constituency’s importance and the strategic role of northern Nigeria in Tinubu’s political agenda.
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He urged residents to verify information before sharing it on social media, warning that fake news and artificial intelligence-generated images, voices and videos could mislead the public and threaten community peace.
Abbas also called on residents to remain united, resist divisive tendencies and critically examine political claims, including those made by members of their own political parties, to promote peaceful coexistence.
He urged constituents to support Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani and APC candidates in the January 16, 2027, elections, while seeking renewed confidence in his representation and commitment to development.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Zaria Local Government Area, Alhaji Jamilu Ahmed Muhammad, commended Abbas for sustaining his empowerment initiatives, saying the Speaker had implemented about 17 programmes within three years.
Muhammad gave the commendation at the event, recalling previous distributions of 1,700 deep freezers, 1,400 industrial sewing machines, 2,000 solar-powered water-pumping machines and 600 electric water-pumping machines.
He said the Speaker had also supported farmers with 50 tractors, 120 combine harvesters, 120 vehicles for transporting agricultural produce, chemicals and other farming inputs, benefiting residents across Kaduna State.
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Muhammad said about 3,000 people in Zaria would benefit from the latest intervention. The beneficiaries include 600 women receiving deep freezers, 400 welders receiving fabrication equipment and mechanics receiving 250 diagnostic scanners.
He commended President Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani for supporting the initiatives, adding that committees comprising representatives of trade associations screened beneficiaries to ensure transparency, fairness and equitable distribution of the equipment.