The First Lady of Nigeria and wife of President Bola Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Saturday, empowered 500 women in Edo State with N50,000 each under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
The empowerment programme, conducted in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, took place in Benin City.
Speaking during the presentation of the cash grants to beneficiaries, Senator Tinubu said the initiative was designed to strengthen existing businesses and enhance the economic resilience of Nigerian women.
Represented by the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpeholo Anani, Tinubu urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the grant to expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
‘This is not a loan; it is a grant – a seed of renewed hope to help you recapitalise your existing businesses. It is my firm belief that when you empower a woman, you empower a household, a community, and indeed, a nation.
‘The Tony Elumelu Foundation generously donated N1 billion to the Renewed Hope Initiative to fund the empowerment of 18,500 across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
‘Each state, including the FCT, will have 500 women beneficiaries, each receiving N50,000 to support and expand their small businesses’.
On her part, Anani thanked the Tony Elumelu Foundation for its commitment to women’s economic advancement.
‘May this act of generosity inspire many more across our nation,’ she said.
She also extended her appreciation to the governor, Monday Okpeholo, and Senator Tinubu for their unwavering support in executing RHI programmes in the state.
One of the Beneficiaries, Otaru Patience, said the grant would help boost her business.
Another beneficiary, Adesuwa Obasogie, called for the money to be increased in the face of the current economic reality of the country.
Those present included Chairperson, National Council of Women Society Edo State Chapter, Taiwo Inumidune, Special Adviser, Sustainable Development Goals SDG, Mrs Barbara Omozele Agbebaku, and Director, Control and Immunisation, Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Eseigbe Eromon.