Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has officially launched the South-East Women Mega Empowerment Programme and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Mobilisation Directorate’s campaign across the six geopolitical zones.

The initiative was unveiled on Saturday at Okpara Square in Enugu, with the First Lady declaring that Nigeria was gradually moving towards economic prosperity following the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms.

The event attracted women leaders and APC members from Enugu, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Imo states, alongside political leaders and other government officials.

The programme featured the distribution of empowerment materials, including sewing machines, food processors, electricity generators and popcorn-making machines, to women to support their businesses and economic activities.

Addressing the gathering, Mrs Tinubu conveyed President Tinubu’s goodwill message and urged Nigerians not to lose hope because of the economic difficulties associated with the administration’s reforms.

She compared the country’s economic transition to childbirth, explaining that although the process could be painful, it eventually leads to a positive outcome.

She declared that the most difficult period was over and expressed optimism that Nigeria was entering an era of prosperity.

The First Lady described the empowerment initiative as part of the administration’s commitment to translating political promises into practical interventions that improve people’s livelihoods.

She also announced additional financial assistance programmes for women and elderly residents in Enugu State.

According to her, on December 3, APC senatorial candidates would receive funds to empower 250 women each with ₦200,000 business grants across the state’s three senatorial districts.

She further announced a separate programme scheduled for December 17 to support 750 elderly persons aged 65 and above across the same senatorial districts.

Mrs Tinubu urged women to mobilise support for President Tinubu and APC candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, while encouraging them to assess political aspirants based on their records of empowerment and development.

Speaking at the event, Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, said the programme was designed to empower more than 5,000 women across the South-East.

He disclosed that the First Lady’s office had supported over 2,000 women in Enugu within the preceding 48 hours through financial assistance, payment of hospital bills and the provision of equipment to establish and expand businesses.

Mbah explained that the initiative was aimed at transforming women into wealth creators rather than making them dependent on occasional financial assistance.

He also attributed some of his administration’s development projects, including the construction of Smart Green Schools and primary healthcare centres, to increased resources available to states following the Federal Government’s economic reforms.

The governor urged residents of the South-East to support Tinubu’s second-term ambition, arguing that the country should not abandon an ongoing journey because of temporary difficulties.

He described the Igbo people as strategic and relationship-building, encouraging them to strengthen their political engagement beyond the South-East.

Also speaking, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, called on the South-East to support Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

Kalu maintained that the region should not be associated with any proposed four-year presidential arrangement for an Igbo president, insisting that when the South-East eventually produces Nigeria’s president, it should be entitled to a full eight-year tenure.

He also cited the establishment of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) as a significant step towards addressing the region’s longstanding developmental challenges.

Kalu further highlighted the inclusion of South-East indigenes in the Federal Government’s cabinet and other government initiatives as evidence of the administration’s engagement with the region.

Meanwhile, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, urged the people of the South-East to support Tinubu’s re-election, noting that increased allocations from the Federation Account had provided state governments with additional resources to execute development projects.

He identified ongoing infrastructure, healthcare, electricity and educational interventions as areas of progress under the current administration.

Similarly, Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, declared that the APC’s major political objective was to secure a second term for President Tinubu.

He urged party members and supporters across the region to work towards achieving the objective in the 2027 elections.

The rally also attracted the wife of the Vice-President, Nana Shettima; wife of the Senate President, Uloma Akpabio; Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite.

Other dignitaries included APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Ben Nwoye; the party’s National Women Leader, Mary Alile-Idele; and other political stakeholders from across the South-East.

The programme marks the beginning of the APC Women Mobilisation Directorate’s empowerment and political mobilisation activities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones ahead of the 2027 general elections.