Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has empowered another 500 women in Kwara state with her latest empowerment project. 500 women from each state in the North Central Zone, namely Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), benefited from the scheme at the same time through the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative Support Scheme office and the office of Mrs Adejoke Adefulure, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals.
Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, the first lady of Kwara State, who distributed the empowerment items to the beneficiaries in Ilorin, the state capital, on behalf of Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, stated that the scheme will eventually benefit eighteen thousand five hundred (18,500) women from the country’s six (6) geopolitical zones.
Mrs. AbdulRazaq stated that the North Central zone is the first to benefit from this program, emphasising that “this event is borne out of a steadfast commitment to the economic empowerment of women and the promotion of entrepreneurship, and it marks a significant step in our collective pursuit of a more inclusive and progressive society.” She also said that “this round of the Renewed Hope women empowerment initiative is designed to support the ventures of five hundred women in the State and put them on the path of self-reliance and financial independence.” Prof AbdulRazaq also said that, “the selected beneficiaries of this phase of the scheme will receive the listed items to duly engage them and support their trade to cushion the effect of the economic situation.”
“The items being distributed today are to equip our women with the necessary tools and resources they need to build successful businesses and to contribute to the prosperity of our great nation.” she stressed. Professor AbdulRazaq advised the recipients of the empowerment initiative, “I encourage you to use these resources wisely to start or expand your businesses.”
Allow these goods to serve as the foundation for creating a better life for yourself and your family. I hope and pray that everything you get today will be fruitful in your hands.” Mrs Abdulrazaq further noted that on August 1, 2024, the Renewed Hope Initiative, in partnership with partners, awarded scholarships to 200 Nigerian students, five of whom were Kwarans.
“On December 21, 2024, the Renewed Hope Initiative distributed two hundred thousand naira each to two hundred and fifty elderly people in Kwara State through its Elderly Support Scheme. “Also in April Five Hundred Thousand Naira was presented to twenty women farmers through the Renewed Hope Initiative Agricultural Support Programme while over Fifty thousand units of exercise books was distributed to school children through the Renewed Hope Initiative Education Support Scheme in the State,” said the woman. She acknowledged the huge support of Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for women in the state through the numerous empowerment schemes of the State Social Investment Programmes ( KWASSIP).
” In addition to this drive and promoting the welfare of our people, my office and the Ajike People Support Centre have over the years trained and equipped women and youths invocations such as sewing, jewellery making, confectioneries, and make-up and makeover, among others, while we continue to encourage youth entrepreneurship and leading advocacies to curb drug abuse, gender-based violence, child abuse, human trafficking, and other initiatives that directly impact the people. “We have also provided food support to households and supported businesses with financial grants.” she added .
“In closing I enjoin all beneficiaries of this gesture of the mother of the nation and the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President tomake judicious use of the itemspresented tothem to support theirrespective businessesand betterthe lot of their households,” she said.
