The first lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, yesterday gave out N50,000 each to 500 women under the Empowerment Programme of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, in Edo State.
At the presentation, which took place at the Government House in Benin, Senator Tinubu emphasised that the programme is 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, she urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the grant to boost their businesses.
“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”.
At the Edo State launch, Anani presented the grants to some of the pre-selected beneficiaries on behalf of Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
She 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 of Edo State, Monday Okpeholo, and Senator Oluremi Tinubu for their unwavering support in executing RHI programmes in the state.
One of the beneficiaries, Otaru Patience, said the grant would go a long way in boosting her business and thanked Oluremi Tinubu and Edo first lady for empowering women in the state.
Similarly, Adesuwa Obasogie described the grant as timely and appealed that the money should be increased in the face of the current economic reality of the country.
The event had in attendance government functionaries including Mrs Taiwo Inumidune, chairperson, National Council Of Women Society Edo State Chapter, Sally Suleiman, SA Sustainable Development Goals SDG, Mrs Barbara Omozele Agbebaku.
Others are Dr Eseigbe Eromon, Director Dorsey Control and Immunisation, Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and Mrs Mercy Ebhodaghe, wife of the chairman, Esan-West LGA, among others.
