The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, has empowered his constituents with business equipment to promote self-reliance, create jobs and improve livelihoods.

Mr Abbas, who spoke at an empowerment programme on Sunday in Zaria, said the initiative reflected his commitment to economic development, skills acquisition and enterprise promotion.

The beneficiaries received sewing machines, freezers, car diagnostic scanners and other equipment.

Other items distributed included mechanical tools, welding and fabrication equipment as well as vulcanising machines, among others.

The speaker noted that the initiative was aimed at strengthening small businesses, creating employment opportunities and improving the economic well-being of beneficiaries and their families.

Mr Abbas urged the beneficiaries to maintain the equipment, keep proper business records and provide quality services, while encouraging them to transfer acquired skills to others as their businesses expand.

He expressed gratitude to the people of Zaria for their continued support, saying his position had provided a stronger platform to attract development projects and interventions to the constituency.

Mr Abbas attributed the achievements to collaboration with President Bola Tinubu, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, the National Assembly and the All Progressives Congress (APC), and urged constituents to sustain their support.

He described Kaduna’s selection to host the APC presidential campaign flag-off as significant, saying it underscored the constituency’s importance and the strategic role of Northern Nigeria in Mr Tinubu’s political agenda.

The speaker urged residents to verify information before sharing it on social media, warning that fake news and Artificial Intelligence-generated images, voices and videos could mislead the public and threaten community peace.

Mr Abbas urged his constituents to support Messrs Tinubu, Sani and APC candidates in the January 16, 2027 elections, while seeking renewed confidence in his representation and commitment to development.

Earlier, the Chairman of Zaria Local Government Area, Jamil-Ahmed Muhammad, commended Mr Abbas for sustaining empowerment initiatives, saying the speaker implemented about 17 empowerment programmes within three years.

He commended Messrs Tinubu and Sani for supporting the initiatives, adding that committees comprising trade association representatives screened beneficiaries to ensure transparency, fairness and equitable distribution of the equipment.

(NAN)