By Nkechi Eze
The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has reinforced the party’s commitment to youth empowerment and grassroots economic development with the rollout of the Renewed Hope Scale-Up Programme, benefiting over 1,400 young Nigerians through the distribution of equipment and financial grants.
According to an official signed statement by the Special Adviser to the APC National Chairman on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, the empowerment initiative was executed at a well-attended event in Jos, Plateau State, where 727 sets of income-generating tools and equipment were distributed to beneficiaries across various sectors.
The items distributed included tricycles, catering kits, embroidery machines, sewing machines, welding and fabrication tools, grinding machines, auto mechanic and carpentry toolboxes, POS machines with startup capital, make-up kits, and phone repair toolkits supported with solar panels and power stations, all aimed at equipping recipients with sustainable means of livelihood.
The statement further disclosed that the programme also involved the disbursement of ₦280 million in structured cash grants. Sixty beneficiaries received ₦1 million each, 140 individuals got ₦500,000, 300 beneficiaries were awarded ₦200,000, while 900 recipients received ₦100,000 each, providing immediate capital support for small and medium-scale enterprises.
Speaking at the event, Yilwatda described the initiative as a practical demonstration of the Renewed Hope Agenda’s focus on job creation, poverty reduction, and youth-driven economic growth. He noted that empowerment at the grassroots remains critical to national development and economic stability.
Reflecting on his past interventions, the APC Chairman recalled an agricultural support initiative he launched in 2018, which he said continues to deliver measurable outcomes, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in people.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, describing his emergence as APC National Chairman as an act of divine grace, while reaffirming his commitment to leveraging the office to connect citizens with opportunities and drive inclusive growth.
Yilwatda also highlighted the Federal Government’s broader economic agenda, which targets the development of a one-trillion-dollar economy through large-scale infrastructure projects, including new seaports and airports, rail expansion from Lagos to Kano, and major highways such as the Sokoto–Badagry corridor and the Calabar–Lagos coastal road.
He encouraged beneficiaries to embrace entrepreneurship and maximize the opportunities provided, assuring them of continued support through institutions such as the Bank of Industry and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council to enhance access to finance and global markets.
The APC Chairman further revealed plans to establish a monitoring and evaluation framework to track beneficiaries’ progress, with high-performing individuals eligible for additional support through agencies like the Ministry of Finance Incorporated.
Representing the state government, Plateau State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Josephine Piyo, commended Yilwatda’s intervention, describing it as a demonstration of purposeful and people-centered leadership.
She urged beneficiaries to utilize the resources responsibly and remain focused, expressing confidence that the initiative would nurture future entrepreneurs capable of contributing significantly to both the state and national economy.
The Renewed Hope Scale-Up Programme, the statement noted, represents a strategic effort to deepen economic inclusion and strengthen youth participation in Nigeria’s development, in line with the APC’s commitment to sustainable grassroots transformation.
