The wife of the President, Oluremi Tinubu, has empowered women in Anambra State with recapitalisation grants and other support to boost their business, economic status and financial independence.

The Women’s Economic Empowerment programme, a N50,000 grant for each beneficiary, was done under the auspices of the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative in collaboration with the Tony Elumelu Foundation.

It is a programme designed to support 500 women in each of the 36 states of the country, including the Federal Capital Territory.

Wife of the Anambra State governor, Nonye Soludo, who handed over the empowerment to the women, at the Light House, Awka, on Wednesday, said the initiative was a testament to the President’s wife’s dedication to empowering women in sustainable business and ensuring food security.

Soludo, who represented the President’s wife and read her speech before the beneficiaries, stated that the empowerment would enhance financial independence and help the women unlock their full potential.

She stressed that the empowerment showed that the government embraced the pivotal role of women in Nigeria’s economic diversification.

She said, “This economic empowerment is about supporting the entrepreneurial spirits of our women. By empowering women in their various crafts, we are not only enhancing their well-being but also promoting economic growth and sustainability in their homes.

“We recognise and deeply appreciate the noble objectives of this empowerment initiative, which is aimed at unlocking the immense potential of our women, fostering their economic independence, and creating sustainable opportunities for growth and prosperity.

“By equipping our women with these essential tools, we are strengthening their ability to build lasting livelihoods, thereby enabling them to contribute meaningfully to the inclusive and sustainable development of our nation.

“It is not a loan, it is a renewed seed to enable you to invest in your business to make it more sustainable. I thank the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which donated N1bn for 500 women in each of the 36 states of the country.”

Soludo, however, said in support of the President’s wife’s programme, she has also selected an additional 500 women to be empowered, thereby bringing the total figure of beneficiaries to 1,000.

“To support our first lady, I am also presenting N50,000 each for an additional 500 women, thereby bringing the total number of women to 1,000. I hereby flag off the programme for the benefit of the people.

“Starting a business is about good management and skills. In business, seed capital is very key, you know. It’s about mindset. See this grant you have received as a ‘seed’ that can turn into millions if well invested.

“I believe that this money will work wonders in your life and do good things for you. But what is more important is to ensure a healthy living, eat well, eat clean and exercise well, take care of yourselves,” Soludo added.

Earlier on, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ify Obinabo, advised the women to ensure they put the money to good use for the benefit of their families.

“This is not the first time we are experiencing this show of love from Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, knowing full well that with this empowerment, different women are sure of three square meals.

“Our first lady is not just giving it; she is also adding her own and doing it effortlessly. We have a rare privilege of having someone like her.

“This money is not to go and buy ‘aso ebi’, it is a seed money that should be invested to boost your businesses and whatever craft you are doing,” Obinabo added.

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