National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has empowered over 1,400 youths with working tools and financial grants of ₦280 million under the Renewed Hope Scale-Up Programme.
Yilwatda, by that act, has reaffirmed the APC commitment to youth empowerment, economic inclusion, and grassroots development.
As stated in a release by his Special Adviser (Media and Information Strategy), Abimbola Tooki, Professor Yiltwada oversaw the distribution of the tools at a well-attended empowerment event in Jos, Plateau State.
It was disclosed that 727 sets of income-generating equipment and toolkits, carefully targeted at equipping beneficiaries with the capacity to establish and expand sustainable businesses across key sectors of the economy were distributed at the event.
The items included 20 tricycles; 33 catering sets; 26 embroidery machines with pressing irons; 172 sewing machines; 75 welding and fabrication toolboxes; 16 dry grinding machines; nine wet grinding machines;
100 auto mechanic toolboxes; 75 carpentry toolboxes; 110 POS machines each accompanied with ₦100,000 startup capital; 20 make-up toolboxes; and 71 phone repair toolkits supported with solar panels and cloud power stations.
In addition to the equipment distribution, the Renewed Hope Scale-Up Programme saw the disbursement of ₦280 million in cash grants to beneficiaries across four structured categories:
Sixty (60) individuals received ₦1 million each; 140 beneficiaries received ₦500,000 each; 300 individuals were granted ₦200,000 each; while 900 beneficiaries received ₦100,000 each.
The strategic financial support, it was stated, was designed to provide immediate capital injection for small and medium-scale enterprises, enabling rapid business take-off and expansion, in line with the renewed Hope Scale-Up Programme.
Speaking at the event, Professor Yilwatda described the initiative as a practical demonstration of the unwavering focus of the Renewed Hope Agenda on job creation, poverty alleviation, and youth-driven economic growth.
Reflecting on his longstanding commitment to grassroots empowerment, the APC national chairman recalled his earlier interventions in agriculture, noting that a farmer-support initiative he established in 2018 has continued to yield measurable success.
He emphasised that meaningful change will start when individuals take responsibility for improving the lives of others, stressing that the Renewed Hope Scale-Up Programme represented both a moral duty and a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future.
Yilwatda expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, describing his emergence as the APC national chairman as an act of divine grace, rather than personal qualification.
He restated his commitment to using the office as a platform to connect opportunities with the people and to drive inclusive development.
He further highlighted the administration’s broader economic vision of building a $1trillion economy through massive infrastructure investments.
Such investments, he said, included the development of new seaports and airports, expansion of rail networks from Lagos to Kano, and the construction of major road corridors such as the Sokoto–Badagry highway and the Calabar–Lagos Coastal Road.
According to him, these projects were designed to unlock productivity, enhance trade, and position Nigeria as a leading economic force in Africa.
Professor Yilwatda encouraged the beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope Scale-Up Programme to prioritie entrepreneurship, noting that small businesses have the potential to grow into global enterprises.
He assured them of continued support, including access to financing through the Bank of Industry and export training opportunities in collaboration with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), aimed at integrating local businesses into international markets.
Yilwatda also announced plans for a structured monitoring and evaluation process, with periodic assessments to track progress and identify high-performing beneficiaries for further support through institutions such as the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI).
He restated the policy support of the Federal Government for small businesses, including tax relief measures designed to create a conducive environment for growth.
Deputy governor of Plateau State, Mrs. Josephine Piyo, who represented the governor at the event, commended Professor Yilwatda for his impactful intervention, describing it as a demonstration of selfless leadership and a strong commitment to uplifting the people.
She noted that the APC national chairman has brought pride to the state and has shown that leadership must translate into tangible benefits for citizens.
She urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the resources provided, emphasizing discipline, focus, and enterprise as key drivers of success.
She expressed confidence that the initiative would produce future business leaders and industrialists capable of transforming the local and national economy.
The deputy governor said the Renewed Hope Scale-Up Programme stood as a bold and practical step toward building a resilient, inclusive, and youth-driven economy, reinforcing the commitment of APC to empowering Nigerians and delivering sustainable development at the grassroots.
