***Distributes N500,000 each to 500 Women
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has flagged off the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) in collaboration with Tony Elumelu Foundation of Women Economic Empowerment Programme in Kogi State.
The programme, which aims to support women traders and entrepreneurs, saw 500 women beneficiaries receiving grants of N50,000 each to boost their businesses.
The First Lady, represented by the First Lady of Kogi State, Hajia Sefinat Usman Ododo, described the grant as a “seed of renewed hope” to help women recapitalize their existing businesses.
“This is not a loan. It is a grant and a seed of Renewed Hope to help you recapitalize your existing businesses.
“It is my firm belief that when you empower a woman, you empower a household, a community, and indeed, a nation,” she said.
She emphasized that empowering women is key to uplifting households, communities, and the nation.
The initiative made possible through a N1 billion donation from the Tony Elumelu Foundation to the Renewed Hope Initiative, will directly benefit 18,500 women nationwide.
The Kogi First Lady explained that under the scheme, 500 women from each of the 36 states and the FCT will receive N50,000 grant each.
Nigerian Pilot reports that at the Kogi State launch, the 500 pre-selected beneficiaries were presented with their grants in Lokoja.
The First Lady commended the Tony Elumelu Foundation for its generosity towards women empowerment in the country.
She expressed the hope that such acts of kindness would inspire more contributions towards women empowerment.
Senator Remi Tinubu on reaffirmed her commitment to advancing women’s economic independence through initiatives that strengthen households, communities, and the nation at large. (Ends)