By Muhammad Nur Tijani
The Queen Juliet Endowment Foundation has commenced its annual women and youths empowerment programme in Kano State, with a target of empowering one million beneficiaries across Nigeria in 2026.
The Founder of the foundation, Queen Juliet Uju-Obiaeli, made this known during the official inauguration of the programme in Kano.
Uju-Obiaeli said the initiative was one of the foundation’s core programmes for 2026 and it was designed to promote self-reliance, economic inclusion and sustainable livelihoods, particularly in rural communities.
She said the programme enjoyed the support of President Bola Tinubu, the Kano State Governor, Ministers, Senate President, Deputy Senate President and other key stakeholders.
According to her, the foundation is partnering with several reputable organisations, including the International Peace Commission, as well as agencies of the United Nations, among others.
The founder said about 500 women had already been trained in Kano State ahead of the flag-off, noting that some of the beneficiaries received start-up equipment during the event.
She explained that the women were trained in various vocational and small-scale business skills such as tailoring, hairdressing, grinding services, soap making and bead making.
Uju-Obiaeli said the items distributed included sewing machines, grinding machines, hairdressing kits, soap-making and bead-making equipment to enable the beneficiaries to become self-employed and support their families.
She said the foundation was targeting the empowerment of at least 3,000 women and youths in Kano State, adding that beneficiaries would be engaged in batches before or shortly after the Ramadan period.
According to her, the empowerment programme will be extended to other states of the federation, with special focus on youth digital literacy and computer-based skills.
“The aim is to ensure that women and youths, especially in rural areas, have access to skills and resources that will enable them to contribute meaningfully to national development,” she said.
Uju-Obiaeli called on government institutions, private organisations, development partners and individuals to collaborate with the foundation, noting that large-scale empowerment required collective effort.
She commended the Kano State Government for its support and described the state as peaceful, stable and receptive to development initiatives.
The founder said empowering one million women and youths would create a multiplier effect capable of driving economic growth and social stability across the country.
According to her, the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at improving the living conditions of Nigerians, particularly those in underserved communities.
A beneficiary, Aisha Abubakar, who spoke on behalf of other beneficiaries, commended the foundation for the gesture, describing it as timely and impactful.
She said the training and start-up equipment provided would go a long way in improving their economic status and enabling them to support their families.
Abubakar expressed gratitude to the foundation for giving them the opportunity to acquire practical skills, adding that the empowerment had restored hope and confidence among the women. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
