The City Boy Movement has launched a major youth empowerment programme across the North-East geopolitical zone, with 1,749 beneficiaries set to receive various empowerment items aimed at strengthening livelihoods and promoting self-reliance.
The distribution programme was flagged off in Maiduguri on Sunday and led by the National Co-Patron of the Movement, Shettima Kashim Shettima (Amir).
Items approved for distribution include Keke Napep, refrigerators, solar panels, kiosks, wheelchairs and sewing machines, with beneficiaries drawn from across the North-East.
The event opened with a welcome address by Engr. Ibrahim Abba Umar, Executive Director, Technical Services of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and North-East Zonal Director, Youth Mobilisation of the APC 2027 Presidential Campaign Council. He welcomed dignitaries, beneficiaries and stakeholders, describing the initiative as a landmark empowerment programme for the region.
Speaking at the ceremony, Shettima Kashim Shettima commended the resilience and commitment of youths across the North-East towards supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima.
He described the programme as the first phase of a broader empowerment initiative expected to extend across the country.
“This is just the beginning. The City Boy Movement is committed to ensuring that young people in the North East and beyond are given the tools they need to be self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to nation building,” he said.
The Director-General of the City Boy Movement, Hon. Francis Oluwatosin Shoga, also commended the National Co-Patron for the initiative, saying the empowerment drive demonstrates the Movement’s commitment to practical youth development and service delivery across the North-East.
The Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Sainna Buba, said the programme aligns with the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda and assured residents that more dividends of democracy would reach Borno State and the wider North-East.
Representing the Borno State Governor, the Chief of Staff to the Governor commended the National Co-Patron for what he described as a bold initiative to empower young people in the region. He said the gesture could contribute to reducing unemployment and strengthening livelihoods across the North-East.
Meanwhile, empowerment items allocated to Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States have already departed Maiduguri for onward distribution to beneficiaries in the respective states.
Beneficiaries at the Maiduguri event expressed excitement over the initiative, describing it as “the first of its kind” while thanking the City Boy Movement and its leadership for supporting young people across the region.
The City Boy Movement reaffirmed its commitment to its stated ideals of “Empowering the Youth, Building the Future, and Strengthening the North East.”