500 women in Kwara State have benefited from financial support under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) and Tony Elumelu Foundation Women Economic Empowerment Programme.
The flag-off and disbursement ceremony took place at the Banquet Hall, Ilorin, where First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu was represented by the wife of the Kwara State Governor, Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq. She explained that the programme was designed to support women traders and small-scale businesses.
According to her, the Tony Elumelu Foundation donated ₦1 billion to the programme, targeting 18,500 women across the country. She stated that “500 beneficiaries in each state and the FCT are receiving ₦50,000 each to recapitalize their businesses.”
Senator Tinubu reaffirmed her commitment to promoting women’s economic independence while commending Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and his wife for their backing in the execution of RHI programmes.
Governor AbdulRazaq announced a ₦25 million matching grant to support an additional 500 women petty traders in the state.
He further highlighted ongoing state-led social investment initiatives such as Kwarapreneur, Owo Arugbo, Kwara Farm, and Digital Kwara, stressing that these schemes are designed to create opportunities and improve livelihoods.
Kwara State Commissioner for Social Welfare and Development, Dr Mariam Imam, described the empowerment programme as a “practical step to uplift women,” urging the beneficiaries to sustain and expand their businesses for greater impact.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Oyeleye Odunayo and Sidikat AbdulAzeez thanked the First Lady for the intervention, noting that the financial support would significantly boost their businesses.
The event was attended by members of the State Executive Council, legislators, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and civil society groups.