BY EVELYN ZORZOR
wife of the President, Sen Oluremi Tinubu, through her pet project, The Renewed Hope Initiative, has empowered over 37,000 Nigerian market women with close to N2bn worth of grants.
The nation’s First Lady was in Asaba, the Delta State capital to flag off the RHI Economic Empowerment Programme Recapitalization Grant for Petty Traders across the Federation.
In her keynote address at the programme which was held at the Dome Event Centre, she emphasized that the grant was meant to help the vulnerable women capitalize and grow their businesses.
According to her, the flag off of the grant served as a testament to the current administration’s commitment to the empowerment of women.
The programme which was carried out simultaneously across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), saw each of the 37,000 beneficiaries receiving at least N50,000 to boost their enterprises.
The 1,000 beneficiaries in the state however received N100,000 each as against the initial plan of N50,000 following a N50m donation to the initiative by the state Governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori.
Senator Tinubu, who is of Itsekiri descent in Delta state, expressed her excitement and satisfaction over the warm reception she received right from the airport, affirming the state to be a peaceful place.
The wife of the Governor, Dcns Tobore Oborevwori in her welcome address, commended Nigeria’s First Lady for the charity and empowerment-based activities.
In her words, “Your commitment to the well-being of Nigerians through your Renewed Hope Initiative- in Agriculture, Education, Economic Empowerment, Social investment and Health Care is commendable.
“As a State, we have benefitted from these initiatives including the distribution of notebooks and scholarship scheme for students, grants for the elderly and farmers and distribution of bags of rice to indigent women”.
The Governor’s wife also pointed out the efforts of her pet project, the ‘You Matter Charity Foundation’ towards the empowerment of vulnerable groups in the state.
“On my part, through the You Matter Charity Foundation, I have empowered and supported rural market women, initiated Free Medical Care for the elderly and at the core of my foundation, I am providing support for autistic children and children with Special needs”.
Dcns Oborevwori appreciated the wife of the President for choosing to come to the state for the flag-off of her programme. She also congratulated the beneficiaries, while admonishing them to make good use of the resources.
The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude, affirming that the grant would go a long way in helping their businesses in the face of harsh economic realities.
