Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on beneficiaries of her empowerment programme in Ondo State to view the support as an opportunity for self-sustenance and business expansion rather than quick financial gain.
Through her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Mrs Tinubu distributed items such as deep freezers, maxi gas cookers with ovens, generators, and industrial grinding machines to 500 women across the state’s 18 local government areas.
Speaking at the event held at the Arcade Ground in Akure, the First Lady, represented by Mrs Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, wife of the Ondo State Governor, highlighted the vital role women play in Nigeria’s socio-economic growth.
She noted that the programme, now in its second phase in Ondo, is aimed at reducing poverty, promoting entrepreneurship, and boosting women-owned businesses.
“We will follow up to ensure these items are properly utilized. Please, don’t sell them,” she warned.
Mrs Tinubu explained that the initiative targets 18,500 women nationwide across the six geopolitical zones, with the goal of building a more inclusive and progressive society.
Also speaking, Mrs Adejoke Adefulure, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), described the programme as a bold step towards unlocking women’s economic potential.
Represented by Dr Ifeyinwa Nnamchi-Ukaegbu, she praised Mrs Tinubu’s commitment to empowering women and fostering economic transformation across Nigeria.
“I can see the joy on the faces of the beneficiaries. I express my profound appreciation to Her Excellency, Senator Remi Tinubu, for her visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to improve the lives of women across Nigeria.
“The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President of Sustainable Development Goals remain resolute in our commitment to women’s economic empowerment as a key driver to sustainable development. This initiative directly aligned with Goal1of SDGs.
“These investments reflect our firm belief that when a woman is empowered, a home is built, a community is strengthened, and a nation prospers.”
She stressed that the program is not just about distributing empowerment items, rather, unlocking potentials, fostering economic independence, and creating priority for women’s dreams.
Remarking, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Seun Osamaye said the bold economic empowerment of the First Lady would make the women more
economically viable, independent, and also make them fulfil their potential.
She explained that the empowerment is unprecedented, noting that women at the grassroots are now directly benefiting from national opportunities from through the gesture of President Bola Tinubu.
“For this, we appreciate Her Excellency for this bold initiative. We want to assure you that with this empowerment, poverty is a thing of the past for this 500 women in our dear state,” Osamaye added.
