Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has officially unveiled 50 Compressed Natural Gas buses acquired by the Edo State Government while also inaugurating a ₦1 billion empowerment initiative targeted at 5,000 beneficiaries.
The First Lady performed the ceremonies on Thursday during a one-day working visit to Edo State, where she also visited the palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.
Speaking at the palace, Senator Tinubu said President Bola Tinubu had laid a strong foundation for Nigeria’s future through reforms and policies introduced in the past three years.
She said interventions under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), covering agriculture, education, economic empowerment, healthcare and social investment, were designed to support the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Your tenure is a lifelong one, while our period here is limited. So, we are doing all that we can to see that when we finish this assignment, we too can go back to a Nigeria that is comfortable,” she said.
The First Lady expressed hope that some RHI programmes, including grants for persons with disabilities and support for elderly citizens scheduled for December, could be implemented through traditional rulers to reach more people at the grassroots.
She also urged traditional institutions to help raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, syphilis, birth registration and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination.
In his remarks, Oba Ewuare II commended the First Lady for promoting the welfare of women across the country.
“You are a worthy example to women and girls in Nigeria,” the monarch said, adding that “girl child education is not a waste” and that the well-being of women and children deserved collective attention.
The First Lady was presented with the Ikele, the traditional Benin royal beads, as a mark of honour.
At the CNG bus commissioning, Senator Tinubu said the vehicles would improve access to transportation and create opportunities for residents.
“Today, we are not merely commissioning buses; we are commissioning opportunity, mobility and hope, because behind every bus is a human story,” she said.
She noted that more affordable and accessible transportation could help students get to school, traders reach markets and workers travel to their workplaces.
According to her, the transition to CNG-powered transportation could also create jobs for technicians, engineers, drivers, mechanics, safety personnel and fleet managers, particularly young people.
She urged the Edo State Government to prioritise training and capacity building to help residents benefit from the emerging opportunities.
The First Lady also commended the state government’s ₦1 billion empowerment programme, under which 5,000 beneficiaries will receive ₦200,000 each to support their livelihoods and small businesses.
She said the intervention was expected to benefit women, young people and vulnerable residents, helping them strengthen their economic independence.
What You Should Know
During a working visit to Edo State, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu rolled out 50 new CNG-powered buses and launched a ₦1 billion financial support scheme designed to assist 5,000 individuals with ₦200,000 each. She also visited the Oba of Benin to discuss grassroots development and community welfare.
- Positive Impact: The new CNG buses provide cheaper and more eco-friendly transportation options for students, workers, and traders, while creating jobs for mechanics, drivers, and technicians. Additionally, the ₦1 billion grant offers much-needed financial relief to local small business owners and vulnerable residents.
- Potential Concerns: The success of this initiative relies heavily on proper maintenance of the CNG fleet and transparent disbursement of the empowerment funds to ensure they truly reach the intended grassroots beneficiaries without administrative bottlenecks.
