The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation on Friday, 3rd October, 2025, launched the Women Economic Empowerment Programme in Imo State and other states of the country including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The flag-off ceremony took place at the Banquet Hall, Government House Owerri, where the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was represented by the wife of the Imo State Governor, Barr. Chioma Uzodimma. In her address, she explained that the programme is aimed at supporting the entrepreneurial spirit of women traders and small-scale business owners who work daily to provide for their families, educate their children and uplift their communities.
The First Lady commended the Tony Elumelu Foundation for donating the sum of N1 billion to the Renewed Hope Initiative to support 18,500 women across the country. According to her, “500 women from each of the 36 states and the FCT will receive N50,000 to strengthen their businesses.” She added that such generosity should inspire many across the nation to sustain their commitment to women empowerment and poverty reduction.
She further disclosed that the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, in his magnanimity, increased the financial support by adding another N50,000 for each beneficiary, making it a total of N100,000 to be given to the pre-selected women from the 27 Local Government Areas of the state.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu stressed that the initiative is not a loan but a grant designed to recapitalize and strengthen women-owned businesses. “It is my belief that when you empower a woman, you empower a household, a community and indeed a nation,” she said.
She also expressed appreciation to the Governor of Imo State and his wife for their support towards the successful execution of the Renewed Hope Initiative programmes.
The event attracted dignitaries including the wife of the former Governor of Imo State, Barr. Chioma Ohakim, female vice chairmen, councilors, women leaders, and several other prominent women from across the state.
The highpoint of the programme was the presentation of N100,000 cash each to the selected 500 women by the First Lady of Imo State, Barr. Chioma Uzodimma, on behalf of Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
