- Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, launched the RHI Empowerment Programme, distributing N215 million to empower 4,300 women across four states
- The initiative aims to support petty traders with a total of N1.8 billion planned for distribution to 37,000 women nationwide
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched a significant fund disbursement aimed at empowering women across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and three states. The initiative, part of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Empowerment Programme, saw N215 million distributed to 4,300 women in Abuja, Gombe, Kebbi, and Kaduna States.
In the FCT, 1,300 women received N65 million, while 1,000 women in each of Gombe, Kebbi, and Kaduna States were granted N50 million, respectively. The RHI Empowerment Programme is designed to support petty traders, with a broader goal of disbursing N1.8 billion to 37,000 women across all 36 states and the FCT.
Representing Mrs. Tinubu at the FCT event, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, the Mandate Secretary of the Women Affairs Secretariat, emphasized that the grant is intended to help women petty traders overcome business challenges, expand their enterprises, create jobs, and contribute more significantly to the national economy.
In Gombe, the governor’s wife, Hajiya Asma’u Yahaya, who represented Senator Tinubu, highlighted the importance of supporting small-scale traders and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to their success. The 1,000 pre-selected women in Gombe received N50,000 each to enhance their businesses.
In Birnin Kebbi, the cheque presentation took place at the Government House, with members of the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) and other women’s groups among the beneficiaries. Hajiya Zainab Nasare Idris, the wife of Kebbi State Governor and state coordinator of the RHI, emphasized the initiative’s importance, particularly in the current economic climate.
In Kaduna, the First Lady was represented by Hajiya Laila Jibrin Barau, wife of the Deputy Senate President, who reiterated the need for support to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), especially petty traders, who are vital to the local economy.
Additionally, in Kogi State, Mrs. Tinubu flagged off the RHI Economic Empowerment Programme for 1,000 women petty traders. During the event in Lokoja, she revealed that N1.85 billion would be disbursed to selected women across Kogi State and other regions. Represented by Hajiya Fatima Tajudeen Abbas, the wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Tinubu acknowledged the challenges SMEs face. She stressed the program’s role in helping these traders thrive in challenging economic times.