Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Honourable Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh FNSE, on Friday, May 23, 2025, received the National Woman Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Mary Idele Alile, and her delegation of zonal and state women leaders during a courtesy visit to the Ministry in Abuja. This was contained in a statement signed by Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah, Special Assistant on Media to the Honourable Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, FNSE.
The visit, which marked a strategic dialogue between the Ministry and the APC women’s wing, focused on collaborative frameworks to enhance women empowerment, political inclusion, and support for the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In her address, Dr. Alile commended the Honourable Minister for his impactful programs and called for increased attention to gender-responsive policies. She presented the 774 Explode Initiative, a bold new campaign aimed at increasing female participation in politics across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
“The statistics are alarming — only 4.2% of the 10th National Assembly is made up of women. This must change,” she declared, calling on the Ministry to champion legislative support and sustainable empowerment platforms for women.
In response, Minister Abubakar Momoh expressed deep appreciation for the visit and emphasized that women and youth empowerment remain key priorities for the Ministry. He assured the delegation of inclusive representation in the Ministry’s empowerment programs and described the visit as a gateway to deeper consultations and collaborative action.
The Minister also highlighted the impact of ongoing medical outreaches conducted by the Ministry, particularly those targeting women in rural communities. He commended the crucial roles played by women in electoral processesand emphasized their importance to the success of democratic governance.
He further urged the women leaders to mobilize grassroots support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and upcoming re-election in 2027, stating that their influence at the community level remains unmatched.
Also speaking, the Minister of State, H.E. Uba Maigari disclosed that the Ministry is currently constructing nineteen (19) 50-bed hospitals across the Northern region as part of efforts to expand healthcare access and reduce maternal and infant mortality rates.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to gender equity, grassroots development, and inclusive governance — working in synergy with party structures and community stakeholders to deliver tangible impact across Nigeria.
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