Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on November 16, 2024, inaugurated a 3.1-kilometre runway at the Wilberforce Okadigbo International Airport, Onueke, Ebonyi State. The ceremony was part of her visit to the state for the 2024 Ebonyi Women’s Day celebration.
Accompanied by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, and former Secretary to the Nigerian Government, Pius Anyim, the First Lady hailed the state governor for his commitment to completing the runway project. She emphasized that the operationalization of the airport, with commercial flights set to begin on December 12, 2024, would stimulate economic growth and development for the state.
Later, Mrs. Tinubu engaged with Ebonyi State’s traditional rulers at the Presidential Lodge in Abakaliki, praising the state’s peaceful atmosphere and its role as a model of hope for the nation.
While addressing women at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium in Abakaliki for the 2024 Women’s Day celebration, the First Lady praised the Governor’s efforts in promoting women’s participation in governance.
“Let me go back to greet your Governor. He has gone beyond the 35 percent in female appointments. His Deputy is a woman, same for the Secretary to the State Government and many down the line,” she noted, adding that the Governor had recently empowered 130 individuals with one million Naira each for business recapitalisation.
In her speech, Mrs. Tinubu also highlighted the contributions of her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), which donated 50 million Naira, 20,000 wrappers, shoes, and bags to support women’s businesses in the state.
With the festive season approaching, she appealed to market women to avoid unfair price hikes during the holidays, ensuring the people of Ebonyi are not burdened by inflated costs.
Governor Nwifuru expressed his gratitude for the First Lady’s visit, acknowledging the positive impact of RHI’s intervention programmes in the state. He also paid tribute to the women of Ebonyi for their invaluable contributions to the state’s development.
