Nigeria first lady Oluremi begs market women not to raise food prices

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has urged market women to avoid increasing the prices of food items as the festive season approaches.

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

In a statement released on Saturday by her media aide, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady expressed gratitude for the support women in Ebonyi have received from the state governor, Francis Nwifuru, particularly in terms of appointments and developmental initiatives.

“With the Yuletide season around the corner, the First Lady called on market women to resist unfair price hikes for food items during the festive period,” the statement read.

During her visit, Mrs. Tinubu inaugurated a 3.1-kilometer runway at the Wilberforce Chuba Okadigbo International Airport in Onueke, emphasizing that the airport’s commercial activities would boost Ebonyi’s socio-economic development.

She also met with traditional rulers at the Presidential Lodge in Abakaliki, commending the state’s peaceful atmosphere and describing it as a symbol of hope for the nation.

“Nigeria has all it takes to become a great nation,” she said. “We must continue to bless this land, and I urge our traditional rulers to take the lead in this effort.”

Mrs. Tinubu also praised Governor Nwifuru for exceeding the 35% benchmark for women’s representation in government appointments, highlighting that the state’s deputy governor and Secretary to the State Government are women.

In addition, the First Lady announced that the governor would empower 130 individuals with ₦1 million each as business recapitalization grants. She also revealed that her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) was donating ₦50 million, along with 20,000 wrappers, shoes, and bags, to support women’s businesses in the state.