The Federal Government has commenced the distribution of empowerment items to 18,500 women across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of its Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
This initiative is being overseen by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President (OSSAP) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in collaboration with Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The distribution was officially launched by Mrs. Tinubu in Lokoja on Friday, where she announced that 500 women from each state, including the FCT, would benefit from this program. Represented by Kogi State Governor’s wife, Hajia Sefinat Ododo, Tinubu indicated that the North Central zone, which includes Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, and the FCT, would be the first to receive the items.
“This empowerment will benefit 18,500 women nationwide. The North Central zone will be the first to receive items such as freezers, gas cookers, generators, and industrial grinding machines,” Mrs. Tinubu stated. The distribution in this zone will be facilitated by the governors’ wives and RHI State Coordinators, with the South-South zone set to follow.
The First Lady underscored the initiative’s aim to empower women, promote poverty alleviation, and enhance entrepreneurship across Nigeria. She acknowledged the significant role women play in nation-building, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on economic growth, inclusivity, and sustainable development.
Beneficiaries of the initiative were encouraged to utilize the resources wisely to foster their businesses and contribute to national prosperity. “This is the first time we’ve received such support to truly address poverty at the grassroots. It will greatly improve our livelihoods,” remarked Dorcas Olayemi, one of the beneficiaries from Kabba-Bunu LGA.
Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, described the initiative as a pivotal step toward empowering women nationwide. Represented by Kogi’s Special Adviser on SDGs, Mr. Usman Musa, she expressed gratitude to the First Lady for her leadership in enhancing the lives of Nigerian women.
“Today’s programme is about more than distributing items; it’s about unlocking potential and fostering economic independence,” Orelope-Adefulire emphasized, reaffirming the President’s commitment to achieving the SDGs in Nigeria and highlighting the importance of this initiative in promoting sustainable livelihoods.
The event culminated in a symbolic presentation of the empowerment items by Mrs. Ododo on behalf of the First Lady, marking a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to uplift women across the country.
