The Gamji Heritage, a frontline Northern socio-cultural organisation on the ideals of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello Sardauna of Sokoto, has declared its full support for the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s nationwide financial grant initiative for families and small-scale entrepreneurs in need.
In a statement, the President of the Group, Hon. Architect Kabiru Ahmad, commended Mrs Tinubu for her “kind heart in remembering people in need across the country.”
He faulted recent criticisms of the programme, noting that the First Lady has run similar support schemes for over 20 years in Lagos and other Southern states without any pushback or denigration.
“When she was doing such programmes for years in Lagos and other Southern states, you did not come out to condemn her for it. Where were you when she was doing several support programmes even in Churches and Mosques in Lagos and other Southern states, including your Igbo states? Now that she is doing it in Northern Nigeria, in Jigawa State, you are suddenly trying to undermine the programme. Those so-called Obidients always come out to castigate anything that has to do with Northern Nigeria, good or bad, and have never done any good for its people except harm,” Architect Kabiru said.
“While those in need are happily collecting and appreciating the kind gesture, some people are busy trying to truncate the programme for selfish political interests. We will support anyone doing good to our people in the North and will stand with that person as long as our people are happy using the financial support to grow their small-scale businesses, because these N50,000 grants give families capital to survive and grow their trade, create jobs at the grassroots, boost the informal economy, and strengthen national stability and productivity.. And this is what we need especially at this time”
About the Initiative
Mrs Oluremi Tinubu said the N50,000 grants are designed to help small-scale entrepreneurs sustain and grow their businesses. She added that she is “not bothered about criticisms from people who seek to undermine her initiative.”
The First Lady’s outreach has already reached several communities across Nigeria, extending her long-running philanthropic work to beneficiaries in the North.
“We are also aware of, and acknowledge, the First Lady’s support in education, health, training, and human capital development, including the distribution of Qur’ans to schools and mosques. We stand firmly to support and partner with these initiatives in the interest of those in need,” Architect Kabir concluded.
