From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
Nigerian First Lady, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu, through her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), has given N50 million as business grant to 1000 Edo women to help boost up their trades.
The First Lady, represented by the wife of the Edo State governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, while presenting the cheque of N50,000 each to the beneficiaries at the empowerment ceremony at the Esan Central Council Secretariat in Irrua, said
the initiative is part of a broader nationwide programme aimed at supporting 37,000 women across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Mrs. Obaseki said the goal is also to provide financial backing to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), particularly those run by women, who are often the backbone of local economies.
The First Lady in her address read by Mrs. Obaseki, highlighted the crucial role that women play in fostering economic growth and sustaining their communities.
She lauded the resilience and determination of the women traders, who have continued to support their families despite numerous challenges.
“We are all aware of the challenges faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), especially the petty traders, who form the backbone of our local economies.
“These challenges, however, have not deterred the strength of our women. I salute you all and celebrate your courage and resilience that keep you going, to put food on the table for your families.
“Today, through the Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Empowerment Programme, we are providing 1,000 pre-selected women petty traders per state with a grant of N50,000 each to recapitalize and grow their businesses.
“A total of One Billion, Eight Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N1,850,0000,000.00) will be disbursed to 37,000 women petty traders across the nation.
“The grants provided today is to assist our women petty traders in overcoming some of their business challenges, expand their businesses, create more jobs, and contribute more robustly to our economy.”
Commending the wife of the president for her kind gesture, Mrs. Josephine Orhibabhor, one of the recipients, described the grant as a divine intervention, stating, “This grant is God’s intervention in my life. My six children and I have been struggling to survive. May God bless the First Lady of Nigeria.”
Another beneficiary, Mrs. Irabor Augusta, expressed her joy, saying, “May God bless the First Lady of Nigeria. I am glad to be one of the petty traders selected. This money will go a long way in helping my tomatoes business.”
Mrs. Anna Isibor shared her experience, recalling how others doubted the possibility of receiving the grant, but now, she sees it as a blessing. “When they asked people to write their names, some were laughing, saying nothing would come of it. But today, God has sent the First Lady of Nigeria to help me through this hardship.”
Egbhor Felicia, another recipient, offered a prayer for the First Lady and the President, saying, “May the First Lady and her husband, the President, continue to have the wisdom they need to lead the country successfully.”