The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, has officially launched a major economic empowerment programme for women, funded by a N1 billion grant from the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
The initiative, a collaboration between the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, aims to directly support 18,500 women traders and small-scale business owners across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
During the launch event in Sokoto State, the First Lady represented by Wife of the Executive Governor of Sokoto State Dr. Fatima Ahmed Aliyu, emphasized that the programme is designed to bolster the entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerian women. “This is not a loan. It is a grant and a seed of renewed hope to help you recapitalize your existing businesses,” she stated. “It is my firm belief that when you empower a woman, you empower a household, a community, and indeed, a nation.”
Under the programme, 500 pre-selected women from each state and the FCT will receive a direct grant of N50,000 each to strengthen and grow their small businesses. Dr Fatima presented the first grants to some of the 500 beneficiaries from Sokoto State at the event on behalf of First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The First Lady expressed profound gratitude to the Tony Elumelu Foundation for its significant contribution, urging that “this act of generosity inspire many more across our nation.”
She also thanked the Governor of Sokoto State, His Excellency Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, and his wife, Her Excellency Hajiya Fatima Ahmed Aliyu, for their support in facilitating the programmes of the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The event witnessed by dignitaries across board including wife of the State Deputy Governor, concluded with the formal flag-off of the empowerment programme, which is expected to provide a significant economic boost to thousands of women-led businesses nationwide.
