Tinubu’s wife unveils N1.85bn recapitalisation grant for 37,000 beneficiaries nationwide

The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu has commenced the disbursement of 50,000 naira business recapitalisation grant to 37,000 beneficiaries across the country.

The action comes under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) economic empowerment programme where she is also chairman.

The initiative, which targets women petty traders nationwide, was flagged off in Asaba, Delta State capital where 1,000 petty traders benefited from the scheme.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by her spokesperson, Busola Kukoyi, as one of the interventions under the economic empowerment programme of RHI, the grant aims to help petty traders overcome some of their business challenges, create more jobs and expand the contributions of the informal sector to the national economy.

The statement quoted the First Lady as saying: “As we are all aware of the challenges faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), especially the petty traders, who form the backbone of our local economies, these challenges, however, have not deterred the strength of our women. I salute you all and celebrate your courage and resilience that keep you going, to put food on the table for your families.

“Today, through the Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Empowerment Programme, we are providing 1,000 pre-selected women petty traders per state with a grant of N50,000 each to recapitalize and grow their businesses. A total of N1,850,000,000.00 will be disbursed to 37,000 women petty traders across the nation.”

While identifying economic empowerment as a core objective which the Renewed Hope Initiative have consistently delivered on for both women and youth across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria to support the economic reforms of the administration of President Bola Tinubu, the First Lady notes that empowering women economically is not just a moral imperative but a strategic one.

“We recognise that empowering women economically is not just a moral imperative but a strategic one. When women thrive, their families thrive, and by extension, our communities and nation prosper.

“We recognise that empowering women economically is not just a moral imperative but a strategic one. When women thrive, their families thrive, and by extension, our communities and nation prosper.

“To the 1,000 women petty traders who are the beneficiaries of this programme, I say, “You are the heart of our local economies, the foundation of our communities, and the unsung heroes of our nation.”

“You have shown incredible resilience in overcoming countless challenges to build your businesses. Today, we celebrate your hard work and determination,” the wife of the president said.

Applauding the intervention of the First Lady and for choosing the state for the flag off of the grant, Delta State Governor, Sherriff Oborevwori, represented by his wife, Tobore Oborevwori announced the donation of an additional N50,000.00 grant by his administration to further empower the beneficiaries.

He noted that the Senator Oluremi Tinubu has demonstrated true motherhood by tye various contributions of her Initiative, RHI especially in the areas of agriculture, education, economic empowerment and social investment.

The statement informed that the RHI economic empowerment for 1,000 women petty traders per state held simultaneously nationwide.

Each beneficiary received N50,000.00 each as business recapitalisation grant.

In Kaduna, represented by the wife of the Deputy Senate President, Hajiya Laila Jibrin Barau , Senator Remi disclosed that a total of One Billion, Eight Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N1,850,0000,000.00) will be disbursed to 37,000 women petty traders across the nation.

“The grants provided today is to assist our women petty traders in overcoming some of their business challenges, expand their businesses, create more jobs, and contribute more robustly to our economy.

“Economic empowerment remains a core objective of the Renewed Hope Initiative and we have consistently delivered on this promise for both women and youth across the six (6) geopolitical zones to support the economic reforms of the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,
GCFR.

“We recognize that empowering women economically is not just a moral imperative but a strategic one. When women thrive, their families thrive, and by extension, our communities and nation prosper.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our RHI State Coordinators and First Ladies of States, and everyone involved in making this programme a reality, particularly, their efforts in identifying the traders. This is really commendable.

“To the 1000 women petty traders who are the beneficiaries of this programme, I say, “You are the heart of our local economies, the foundation of our communities, and the unsung heroes of our nation.

“You have shown incredible resilience in overcoming countless challenges to build your businesses. Today, we celebrate your hardwork and determination.

“Let us all continue to work together to build a Nigeria where every woman has the opportunity to succeed, where every small business can grow and contribute to our nation’s prosperity.”

In his goodwill message, the state governor, represented by the state Deputy Governor, Hajiya Hadiza Balarabe said, “it gives me immense pleasure to be here for the flag off of the Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Empowerment Programme Capitalisation Grants for 1,000 Women Petty Traders in Kaduna State.

“I want to specially commend Her Excellency, the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu for this important initiative. It is a clear demonstration of her commitment to the upliftment of women and enhancement of their dignity.

“Women are hardworking, enterprising, innovative and resilient. They are the backbone of many families. They play a critical role in Agriculture. Women are key players in Nano, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. With very little, a woman can turn a business around. The main impediment to women’s progress in business and other endeavors however remains lack of “start-up capital” or funds for expansion.

“This capitalisation grants for 1,000 women petty traders in Kaduna State is a step in the right direction. We are today sowing the seeds for the economic empowerment of our women. Today’s event will have a trickle down effect. When you empower a woman, you empower a family, community, state and nation.

“The economic empowerment of women is a key priority of our administration. We have been giving soft loans to women to expand their micro businesses.”

In Adamawa, represented by the Wife of the vice president of Nigeria,Hajiya Nana Shettima, Senator Oluremi Tinubu presented a total sum of N50 million on Thursday to 1000 petty traders mainly women in Adamawa state.

The presentation ceremony which took place at Government House, Yola, had Hajiya Nana Shettima presenting the model cheque for the N50 million to wife of the Adamawa State Governor, Hajiya Lami Fintiri for onward distribution to the beneficiaries in the state.

Similarly, the wife of Adamawa governor’ Hajiya Lami Ahamdu Umuru Finitri assisted by Hajiya Nana Shettima, handed N50,000 to each 20 beneficiaries to mark the symbolic presentation.

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri who was represented on the occasion by his Chief of Staff, Dr Edgar Amos, said the initiative of the First Lady is in tandem with his favourable disposition to women.

The governor said he has demonstrated this in many ways, including nominating the woman who is currently the state deputy Governor (Professor Kaletapwa Farauta) and doling out N50 million as expansion grant to 1,000 women in petty businesses in the state only last week. Earlier in her speech, wife of Kebbi state governor, Hajiya Zainab Nasare Idris, who is the coordinator of Renewed Hope Initiative said giving the present economic situation in the country it has become one inevitable to assist women who are into petty trading.

“We are grateful to the first lady for coming to the aid of women in the country

“I salute the resilience of our petty traders for staying put despite the economic challenges, I urge you to make best use of this empowerment,” he said.

In Abuja, represented by the Mandate Secretary Women Affairs Secretariat, also the FCT State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Mrs. Adedayo Benjamins-lanyi, the First Lady also noted that the Renewed Hope Initiative is aware of the challenges faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), especially the petty traders, who form the backbone of the local economies.

She stressed that these challenges have not deterred the strength of the women.

According to her, “Today, through the Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Empowerment Programme, we are providing 1,000 pre-selected women petty traders per state with a grant of N50,000 each to recapitalize and grow their businesses.

“A total of N1,850,0000,000 will be disbursed to 37,000 women petty traders across the nation.

“The grants provided today is to assist our women petty traders in overcoming some of their business challenges, expand their businesses create more jobs, and contribute more robustly to our economy.”

She affirmed that economic empowerment remains a core objective of the Renewed Hope Initiative and the programme has continued to support the
economic reforms of the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We recognise that empowering women economically is not just a moral imperative but a strategic one. When women thrive, their families thrive, and by extension, our communities and
nation prosper,” she stressed.

Earlier, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, described the programme as a significant stride towards empowering women entrepreneurs and enhancing their economic resilience.

She expressed the hope that the grants would undoubtedly provide the much-needed support in helping women petty traders expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

The minister who was represented by the FCT Coordinator of Social Investment Programme, Hajia Maijidda Adamu Musa, stressed that investment in human capital through the Renewed Hope Initiative in the areas of Economic Empowerment, Education, Health, Social Investment and Agriculture have been invaluable.

Mahmoud further said that by investing in women’s growth, the government is creating opportunities for a brighter future, just as she commended the efforts of the First Lady and her dedicated team in making this initiative a reality.

The Mandate Secretary Women Affairs Secretariat, Mrs. Adedayo Benjamins-laniyi, said that the RHI, has become an interventionist programme that has come to stay with a view to supporting women entrepreneurs.

The highpoint of the event was the presentation of cash to some selected beneficiaries.

In Kogi, Mrs Tinubu, who launched the disbursement on Thursday at Government House Lokoja, said the gesture was part of their continued commitment to drive economic growth towards a better life for families.

Mrs Tinubu, who was represented by the wife of Speaker House of Representatives, Hajia Fatimah Tajudeen Abass, said the grant was to assist the women petty traders in overcoming some of their business challenges.

She added that it would enable them to expand their businesses, creat more jobs, and contribute more robustly to the economy.

“Today, under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Economic Empowerment Programme, we are providing 1,000 pre-selected women petty traders per state with a grant of N50,000 each to recapitalise and grow their businesses.

“A total of 1.85 billion will be disbursed to 37,000 women petty traders across the nation.

“The grant is to assist our women pretty traders in overcoming some of their business challenges, expand their businesses, create more jobs, and contribute more robustly to our economy.

“Economic Empowerment remains a core objective of the Renewed Hope Initiative.

“We have consistently delivered on this promise for both women and youth across the six geopolitical zones to support economic reforms President Bola Tinubu’s Administration.

“We recognize that empowering women economically is not just a moral imperative but a strategic one.

“When women thrive, their families thrive, and by extension, our communities and nation prosper,” she said.

The Nigeria’s first lady commended all the RHI State Coordinators and First ladies of States, and other stakeholders for making the program a reality.

In his remarks, Gov. Ahmed Ododo, commended the first lady for the gesture noting the the initiative was one of President Tinubu’s campaign promises on women and youths empowerment to create wealth.

The governor commended the President’s wife for her humanitarian heart and for constantly thinking about women empowerment and poverty alleviation thereby touching the lives of indigent women at the grassroots

Ododo restated the commitment of his administration to continue to give priority to women empowerment and inclusion in the state beyond the 35 per cent affirmative.

“We thank the first lady for providing a strong platform to eradicating poverty among the women population in the society.

“We will continue to partner with first lady of our dear nation in her determination to empower our women in the state and the nation at large,” Ododo said.

Ododo advised the beneficiaries to ensure judicious use of the re-capitalization grant, stressing that it was an opportunity to move their businesses forward.

He urged the people of the State and the nation at large to continue to support President Tinubu’s policies and programmes in bringing the country out of its inherited economic hardships.

Earlier, the Kogi First Lady, Hajia Sefinat Ododo, appreciated the President’s wife for her commitment to women empowerment particularly at the grassroots.

Hajia Ododo assured the Nigeria’s first lady of total support of Kogi women in her quest to better the lives of women in the state and the country at large.

The Kogi first lady stressed that the grant would go a long way to boost the businesses of the beneficiaries and improve their well-being and that of their families.

“As a grassroots person, I understand your struggles. You have shown incredible resilience in overcoming countless challenges to build your businesses.

“Today, we celebrate your hard work and determination to succeed.

“Let us continue to work together to build our State where every woman has the opportunity to succeed, where every small business can grow and contribute to our nation’s prosperity,” she said.

The highlight of the occasion was the symbolic presentation of Cheques to some of the beneficiaries across the three Senatorial districts of the state.

Some of the beneficiaries in their separate comments; Khadijat Isah, Bosede Ojo and Victor Adejoh; from Okene, Ijumu and Olamaboro respectively, commended the first lady for the gesture.

They promised to make judicious use of the grant, stressing that it would go a long way to boost their businesses and productivity.

In Kwara, speaking during the programme held at the state banquet hall, Ilorin, the wife of Kwara state governor, Ambassador Olufolake Abdulrazaq, who stood in for Senator Tinubu, said that each of the pre-selected women benefitted N50,000 each to recapitalise and grow their businesses.

“A total of N1.85 billion (N1,850,0000,000.00) will be disbursed to 37,000 women petty traders across the nation”, she said, adding that the event took place simultaneously across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

The wife of the president also said that the empowerment project was part of continued commitment of the present administration to drive economic growth towards a better life for families.

“We are all aware of the challenges faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), especially the petty traders, who form the backbone of our local economies.

“These challenges, however, have not deterred the strength of our women. I salute you all and celebrate your courage and resilience that keep you going, to put food on the table for your families.

“The grants provided today is to assist our women petty traders in overcoming some of their business challenges, expand their businesses, create more jobs, and contribute more robustly to our economy.

“Economic empowerment remains a core objective of the Renewed Hope Initiative and we have consistently delivered on this promise for both women and youth across the six (6) geopolitical zones to support the economic reforms of the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

“We recognize that empowering women economically is not just a moral imperative but a strategic one. When women thrive, their families thrive, and by extension, our communities and nation prosper.

“To the 1,000 women petty traders who are the beneficiaries of this programme, I say, “You are the heart of our local economies, the foundation of our communities, and the unsung heroes of our nation”.

“You have shown incredible resilience in overcoming countless challenges to build your businesses. Today, we celebrate your hard work and determination.

“Let us all continue to work together to build a Nigeria where every woman has the opportunity to succeed, where every small business can grow and contribute to our nation’s prosperity,” she said.

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