The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has equiped over
1,400 young Nigerians with 727 sets of income-generating equipment and toolkits, as well as ₦280 Million financial support.
At the youth empowerment programme in Jos, Plateau State capital, Professor Yilwatda distributed such items as 20 tricycles, 33 catering sets, 26 embroidery machines with pressing irons, 172 sewing machines, 75 welding and fabrication toolboxes, 16 dry grinding machines, 9 wet grinding machines, 100 auto mechanic toolboxes, 75 carpentry toolboxes, 110 POS machines each accompanied with ₦100,000 startup capital.
There were also 20 make-up toolboxes, and 71 phone repair toolkits supported with solar panels and cloud power stations.
In addition to the equipment distributed, the programme disbursed a total of ₦280 million in cash grants to beneficiaries across four structured categories: 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.
APC chairman said that the financial support is designed to provide immediate capital injection for small and medium-scale enterprises, aimed at enabling for rapid business take-off and expansion.
Professor Yilwatda described the initiative as a practical demonstration of the Renewed Hope Agenda’s focus on job creation, poverty alleviation and youth-driven economic growth.
The APC National Chairman recalled his earlier interventions in agriculture, saying that a farmer-support initiative he established in 2018 continues to yield measurable success.
He emphasized that meaningful change begins when individuals take responsibility for improving the lives of others and that the programme represents both a moral duty and a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future.
Professor Yilwatda expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, describing his emergence as National Chairman as an act of divine grace rather than personal qualification.
He reiterated his commitment to using the office as a platform to connect opportunities with the people and to drive inclusive development.
He highlighted the administration’s broader economic vision of building a one-trillion-dollar economy through massive infrastructure investments, including 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 are designed to unlock productivity, enhance trade and position Nigeria as a leading economic force in Africa.
Professor Yilwatda encouraged the beneficiaries to prioritize 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, aimed at integrating local businesses into international markets.
He 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 reiterated the Federal Government’s policy support for small businesses, including tax relief measures designed to create a conducive environment for growth.
The State Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Mrs. Josephine Piyo, who represented the Governor, commended Professor Yilwatda for his impactful intervention, describing it as a demonstration of selfless leadership and a strong commitment to uplifting the people, adding that he has brought pride to the state and has shown that leadership must translate into tangible benefits for citizens.
She advised the 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.
Piyo said that The Renewed Hope Scale-Up Programme stands as a bold and practical step toward building a resilient, inclusive, and youth-driven economy, reinforcing the APC’s commitment to empowering Nigerians and delivering sustainable development at the grassroots.
