Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Thursday welcomed the First Lady of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, to Edo State for the commissioning of 50 brand-new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and the launch of a N1 billion empowerment programme for women.
The initiative will see 5,000 women across the state benefit, with each beneficiary receiving N200,000 to boost their businesses and livelihoods.
Governor Okpebholo said the twin initiatives reflect his administration’s commitment to making public transportation more affordable, easing the burden on families, and empowering women to strengthen the local economy.
“Today, we welcomed the First Lady of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, to Edo State for the commissioning of 50 brand-new CNG buses and the launch of a ₦1 billion empowerment programme for 5,000 women, with each beneficiary receiving ₦200,000,” the Governor said.
“These initiatives reflect our commitment to making public transportation more affordable, easing the burden on families, and empowering women to strengthen their businesses and livelihoods.”
The Governor expressed deep appreciation to the First Lady for her support and compassion towards the people of Edo State, and to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support for the state.
He reiterated that his administration’s mission remains clear: to deliver practical governance that improves lives, expands opportunities, and ensures that no community is left behind.
“Our mission remains clear: to deliver practical governance that improves lives, expands opportunities, and ensures that no community is left behind. A New Edo Has Risen,” Okpebholo declared.
The commissioning of the CNG buses is expected to significantly reduce transportation costs for residents in Benin City and other major towns, in line with the Federal Government’s drive to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal through affordable CNG alternatives.
The N1 billion women empowerment scheme is also seen as a major boost for small and medium-scale enterprises run by women across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.
