Oluremi Tinubu pleads market women not to hike food items

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has urged market women to refrain from increasing the prices of food items, emphasizing the importance of affordability for Nigerians.

She made the appeal during the 2024 Women’s Day Celebration held at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

Addressing the gathering, Tinubu highlighted the impact of rising food costs on households and stressed the need for collective responsibility in easing economic burdens. Her media aide, Busola Kukoyi, confirmed the appeal in a statement released on Saturday.

Tinubu also acknowledged the efforts of Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, in empowering women through appointments and various interventions, commending his administration for its continued support for women’s development.

“With the Yuletide season fast approaching, the First Lady appealed to market women to refrain from unfair hikes in prices of food items during the festive season,” she stated.

The President’s wife inaugurated a 3.1-kilometer runway at the Wilberforce Chuba Okadigbo International Airport in the Onueke area of the state.

She said commercial activities at the airport will usher in more socio-economic development for the state.

Tinubu later interacted with Ebonyi State traditional rulers at the Presidential Lodge, Abakaliki where she extolled the peaceful nature of the state, describing it as a beacon of hope for the country.

“Nigeria has everything it takes for us to be a great nation. We have to continue to bless this land and I appeal to you our traditional rulers to lead in that regard,” the First Lady was quoted as saying.

“Let me go back to greet your governor. He has gone beyond the 35 per cent in female appointments. His deputy governor is a woman, same for the Secretary to the State Government and many down the line.

“Now I want to announce that he has decided to empower 130 people with businesses with one million Naira each as business recapitalization grants. As RHI, we did not come empty-handed. We are donating a sum of N50 million, 20,000 wrappers, shoes and bags to support businesses of women in that line, in this state.”