Olu Samuel

First Lady, Sen Oluremi Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, has launched a N25 million empowerment programme for 500 women in Kogi.

Tinubu, inaugurating the disbursement on Thursday at Government House, Lokoja, said the scheme was aimed at boosting economic growth and supporting women entrepreneurs across the country.

Represented by Kogi Governor’s wife, Hajia Sefinat Ododo, she explained that the initiative targets 18,500 women nationwide, with 500 beneficiaries in each state, including the FCT.

She said “500 Kogi women would each receive N50,000 grants to strengthen their small businesses and improve their economic stability.”

According to her, the programme was designed to support hardworking women traders and entrepreneurs who sustain their families while uplifting their communities.

Tinubu stressed that empowering women was vital to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG-5 on gender equality and SDG-8 on decent work and economic growth.

The initiative was made possible through a N1 billion donation by the Tony Elumelu Foundation to the Renewed Hope Initiative.

The First Lady added that the scheme underscored RHI’s commitment to promoting women’s economic independence and strengthening households, communities and the nation.

Secretary to the Kogi Government, Dr Folashade Ayoade, thanked the First Lady for remembering Kogi women and praised Elumelu’s philanthropic support.

She urged the beneficiaries to use the funds wisely to expand their businesses and ensure quality education for their children.

Kogi Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Fatima Momoh, said the programme fulfilled a vision to uplift women and transform communities through sustainable support.

Momoh assured that her ministry would continue backing initiatives that promote women’s empowerment across the state.

Hajia Sefinat Ododo presented N50,000 cash to a beneficiary during the Lokoja event.

Grateful beneficiaries, including Aisha Salihu, lauded the First Lady and the Governor’s wife, saying the support would enhance their businesses and livelihoods.