First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation has launched a N25 million empowerment programme for 500 women in Kogi State.
The disbursement was inaugurated on Thursday at the Government House in Lokoja, where the First Lady, represented by Kogi Governor’s wife, Hajia Sefinat Ododo, said the scheme was aimed at boosting economic growth and supporting women entrepreneurs across the country.
She explained that the initiative targets 18,500 women nationwide, with 500 beneficiaries in each state, including the Federal Capital Territory. According to her, 500 women in Kogi would each receive N50,000 grants to strengthen their small businesses and improve their economic stability.
“The programme is designed to support hardworking women traders and entrepreneurs who sustain their families while uplifting their communities,” she said.
Tinubu noted 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. She added that the initiative was made possible through a N1 billion donation by the Tony Elumelu Foundation to the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The First Lady further stated that the scheme underscored RHI’s commitment to promoting women’s economic independence and strengthening households, communities and the nation.
Secretary to the Kogi State 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.
Also speaking, Kogi Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Fatima Momoh, said the programme fulfilled a vision to uplift women and transform communities through sustainable support. She assured that her ministry would continue backing initiatives that promote women’s empowerment across the state.
At the event, Hajia Sefinat Ododo presented N50,000 cash to one of the beneficiaries. Grateful women, including Aisha Salihu, lauded the First Lady and the Governor’s wife, saying the support would enhance their businesses and improve livelihoods.