APC National Chairman Yilwatda, Empowers 1,400 Youths with Tools, ₦280m Grants in Plateau
Oru Leonard
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has empowered over 1,400 young Nigerians with equipment and financial grants worth ₦280 million under the Renewed Hope Scale-Up Programme.
At a well-attended event in Jos, Plateau State, Yilwatda supervised the distribution of 727 sets of income-generating tools aimed at supporting beneficiaries to establish and expand small businesses across multiple sectors.
Items distributed included tricycles, catering equipment, embroidery and sewing machines, welding and carpentry toolboxes, grinding machines, auto mechanic kits, POS machines with startup capital, make-up kits, and phone repair toolkits powered with solar solutions.
In addition to the equipment, beneficiaries received cash grants totaling ₦280 million across four categories: 60 individuals got ₦1 million each, 140 received ₦500,000, 300 were given ₦200,000, while 900 beneficiaries received ₦100,000 each to boost their businesses.
Speaking at the event, Yilwatda described the programme as a practical demonstration of the Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing its focus on job creation, poverty reduction, and youth-driven economic growth. He said the initiative reflects the APC’s commitment to grassroots development and economic inclusion.
The APC chairman also expressed appreciation to Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, pledging to continue using his office to connect Nigerians with opportunities and drive inclusive development.
He highlighted the Federal Government’s broader economic vision, including infrastructure projects such as rail expansion, major highways, and new seaports and airports, aimed at unlocking productivity and positioning Nigeria as a leading African economy.
Yilwatda encouraged beneficiaries to embrace entrepreneurship, noting that small businesses can grow into global enterprises. He assured them of continued support through access to financing from the Bank of Industry and export training in partnership with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.
He further disclosed plans for a structured monitoring and evaluation framework to track beneficiaries’ progress and identify outstanding performers for additional support through institutions such as the Ministry of Finance Incorporated.
Representing the Plateau State Governor, Deputy Governor Josephine Piyo commended the APC chairman for what she described as a people-focused intervention, urging beneficiaries to utilize the resources effectively.
She expressed confidence that the programme would nurture a new generation of entrepreneurs capable of contributing meaningfully to both the local and national economy.
The Renewed Hope Scale-Up Programme is widely seen as a strategic effort to deepen economic empowerment, strengthen small businesses, and advance inclusive growth across Nigeria.
