It was a day of joy, relief, and renewed hope for the people of Benue State when the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, stormed Makurdi with truckloads of empowerment packages, cash grants, and a message of compassion from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

For a state that has endured years of insecurity, violent clashes, and displacement, this gesture was timely. Benue, once celebrated as the Food Basket of the Nation, has in recent times become a theatre of pain for many families. Killings and attacks on communities had left scars too deep to ignore. It was therefore expedient, almost urgent, that relief materials, hope, and empowerment found their way into the hands of those who need them most.

That urgency informed Minister Imaan’s Saturday visit — a mission that not only restored confidence but also brought smiles back to the faces of women, girls, the vulnerable, and families across the state.

A Heroine’s Welcome in Makurdi

From the Airforce Airstrip where she landed, the atmosphere was electrifying. Women and girls, dressed in colourful traditional attires that showcased Benue’s rich cultural heritage, lined the streets waving Nigerian flags in excitement. The reception was more than ceremonial — it was heartfelt.

To the people of Benue, this was not just a ministerial visit. It was the arrival of a woman who has consistently proven that she is on top of her job, rolling out life-changing policies and delivering services that touch lives across Nigeria

A Meeting with the Governor

At the Government House, Minister Imaan was warmly received by the hardworking Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, alongside his Deputy, Sir Sam Ode, the newly appointed Commissioner of Women Affairs, Hon Theresa Odachi Ikwue, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs, Mrs Scholastica Bem-Sor.

The Minister delivered President Tinubu and the First Lady’s goodwill message, reiterating their unwavering love for the Benue people. She also outlined programmes of the Ministry of Women Affairs currently impacting lives nationwide, including:

Economic Empowerment Schemes – providing capital and skills to women entrepreneurs and farmers, Protection of Women and Girls from Gender-Based Violence – strengthening laws and providing shelters for survivors, Social Investment Initiatives – targeting widows, orphans, and vulnerable families and capacity-Building for Women in Leadership – preparing women to take up political and professional leadership roles.

Governor Alia, in his response, commended the Federal Government’s interventions and highlighted his own administration’s efforts, including appointing women into key positions and creating targeted programmes for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Came to Makurdi Loaded

If there was any doubt about the seriousness of the visit, Minister Imaan’s deliveries quickly erased them. She came prepared — and she came loaded.

400 bags of rice for vulnerable families.

20 bales of Ankara fabrics and fairly used clothes for displaced persons.

Pepper-grinding machines and tailoring machines to boost small-scale enterprises.

₦20 million in cash distributed to 20 women farmers, each receiving a ₦1,000,000 grant (₦500,000 disbursed immediately, with the balance scheduled in the coming months).

“In line with the directive of President Tinubu and the First Lady, we are putting money directly in the hands of women. When women are empowered, families are empowered — and they in turn contribute meaningfully to the growth of our national economy,” Minister Imaan declared to loud applause.

She further extended cash support to women groups and survivors of gender-based violence, underscoring her Ministry’s commitment to ensuring no one is left behind.

Honoured by the Tiv People

In a moving gesture of love and appreciation, the Tiv people decorated Minister Imaan in their traditional attire — a mark of hospitality reserved for cherished visitors. Later, she was conferred with the prestigious title of “Dooshima of Benue” — meaning “the love of Benue people”.

This honour symbolized the deep connection she has forged with the people through her compassion and tangible actions.

A Memorable Visit

As the visit drew to a close, the atmosphere was filled with gratitude. The people and government of Benue expressed their heartfelt thanks to President Tinubu and the First Lady for remembering them at such a critical time.

For Minister Imaan, it was not just a duty fulfilled but a commitment deepened — to keep putting smiles on the faces of women, children, families, and the vulnerable across Nigeria.

In the words of one Benue woman, her eyes brimming with joy: “Today, we feel seen, we feel loved, and we feel hopeful again.”

Eze is the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs.