The Tony Elumelu Foundation has donated N1 billion to the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to support 500 women from each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with N50,000 each to strengthen and grow their businesses. The initiative aims to promote women’s economic empowerment and entrepreneurship across Nigeria.
Speaking in Owerri, the Imo State capital, during the launch of the Women Economic Empowerment Programme, the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, said the programme, which is under the Renewed Hope Initiative Women, in collaboration with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, represents part of the federal government’s broader efforts to empower women economically.
The event, which took place at the Banquet Hall, Government House Owerri, was attended by women from across the 27 local government areas of the state. Represented by the wife of the Imo State Governor, Mrs Chioma Uzodimma, the First Lady said the empowerment programme focuses on women traders and small-scale business owners who play vital roles in supporting their families and communities.
According to Mrs Tinubu, “This economic empowerment programme is about supporting the entrepreneurial spirit of women traders and small-scale business owners who provide for their families, educate their children, and uplift their communities.”
She explained that the grant is not a loan but a seed capital from the Renewed Hope Initiative to help women re-capitalise and expand their existing businesses. “I believe that when you empower a woman, you empower a household, a community, and indeed a nation,” she said.
The First Lady expressed appreciation to Governor Hope Uzodimma and his wife for their support in implementing the various programmes of the Renewed Hope Initiative across the state.
In his own gesture, Governor Uzodimma added another N50,000 to the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s grant, bringing the total to N100,000 for each of the pre-selected beneficiaries from Imo State. The gesture was well received by the women, who expressed gratitude for the opportunity to grow their businesses.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of N100,000 cash each to 500 women beneficiaries by Mrs Chioma Uzodimma on behalf of the First Lady.
In another development, Governor Hope Uzodimma has charged the Board and management of the Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority to bridge the gaps in key sectors such as water, agriculture, power, food security, and livestock across the South-east and Nigeria in general.
The governor, while receiving the delegation led by the Chairman of the Board, Senator Emmanuel Anosike, and the Managing Director, Hon. Emeka Nduka, at the Government House, Owerri, expressed confidence in their competence. He said, “I have no doubt in the capacity and integrity of this new board, given the experience and background of the Chairman and Managing Director.”
He urged them to work effectively to deliver sustainable development and improve the region’s economic growth through their mandate.