By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano
The Queen Juliet Endowment Foundation (QJEF) is collaborating with the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Yusuf Atah, to empower over 20,000 women in Kano, through grants, skills acquisition support, micro enterprise starter packs, and mentorship under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope framework.
The Executive Director of the Foundation, Ambassador Queen Juliet Uju Obiageli, who led a delegation of senior officials of the Foundation on a courtesy visit to Minister Atah, in his office in Abuja, hinted that the daughter of President Tinubu, Chief Folasade Tinubu-Ojo (Iyaloja-General), is also working together with the Foundation to ensure the success of the empowerment programme, which is designed for women in the North West and across the country.
According to her, Chief Tinubu-Ojo’s leadership and commitment to advancing women’s economic interests have been instrumental in shaping the programme.
She further stated that the Foundation’s Annual Women Empowerment Programme in Kano would represent the North West zone, being one of the largest in the national tour.
Ambassador Juliet emphasized that Kano, being one of Nigeria’s most populous states and a hub of commercial activity, is strategically positioned to benefit substantially from targeted empowerment interventions—particularly for women who form a significant backbone of small-scale and informal sector enterprises.
She, therefore, appealed for the support and partnership of the Minister, not only because the event will be held in his home state, but also due to the strategic alignment between the Foundation’s objectives and the Ministry’s mandate of advancing sustainable urban development and improving the quality of life of citizens.
According to her, the Foundation is committed to supporting vulnerable populations—especially women—through targeted empowerment interventions aimed at improving livelihoods, strengthening family stability, and promoting long-term economic resilience.
Ambassador Juliet noted that the Foundation’s work is directly aligned with the philosophy and objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes poverty reduction, skills development, and inclusive economic growth.
She stated that the Foundation’s empowerment model is intentionally designed to complement government efforts, especially in rural and urban communities where poverty is prevalent, and women remain disproportionately affected by socioeconomic challenges.
Responding, Atah welcomed the team and expressed profound appreciation to Ambassador Juliet for her dedication to empowering Nigerians across all zones of the country.
He noted that the Queen Juliet Endowment Foundation has demonstrated a commendable level of passion, structure, and consistency in its work, which is helping to close poverty gaps and expand opportunities for women, an essential demographic for national development.
The Minister commended the Foundation’s clear alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda, describing it as a responsible and forward-thinking initiative that reinforces the government’s efforts in tackling unemployment, improving household incomes, and strengthening community resilience.
He assured the delegation of his personal support and that of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, towards ensuring the success of the Kano Women Empowerment Programme and other future initiatives of the Foundation.
Atah reiterated that sustainable empowerment programmes such as those championed by QJEF are crucial for reducing urban poverty, improving housing stability, and promoting inclusive growth—key components of the Ministry’s broader agenda.
He congratulated Ambassador Juliet on her visionary leadership and encouraged her to continue expanding the reach and impact of the Foundation across Nigeria.
Minister Atah’s Aide, Seyi Olorunsola, in a Statement, said the visit was part of the Foundation’s ongoing nationwide consultation and mobilization drive ahead of its National Women Empowerment Tour, which is scheduled to hold in all geopolitical zones of the country.
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