By: Felix Ikpotor
A total of 1000 women in Rivers State have benefitted from the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Empowerment of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) and the Rivers State Government.
While the RHI in collaboration with the TEF gave N50,000 each to 500 women; the state government led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his wife Lady Valerie Fubara backed the Initiative by giving additional 500 women same amount.
Mrs. Tinubu, who was represented at the Renewed Hope Initiative Women Economic Empowerment Programme by the wife of Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, on Thursday, in Government House, Port Harcourt, said the programme is designed to support the entrepreneurial spirit of women traders and small scale business owners in the country.
The First Lady commended the women for waking up everyday with the determination to provide for their families, educate their children and uplift their communities.
“Let me emphasize that this is not a loan, it is a grant and a seed of renewed hope to help you recapitalise existing businesses. It is my strong belief that when you empower a woman you empower a household, a community and indeed a nation”, Mrs. Tinubu said.
She appreciated the Tony Elumelu Foundation for donating N1billion to the initiative to directly support 18,500 women across the nation.
“500 women from each of the 36 states and the FCT will be receiving N50,000 each to strengthen and recapitalise their existing small businesses”, while presenting the sum to the beneficiaries.
The president’s wife thanked the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his wife, Lady Valerie Fubara, for their support in executing all the programmes of the Renewed Hope Initiative and called on others to emulate the generousity of Tony Elumelu.
The wife of the Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara while speaking in her capacity, noted that the programme is intended to boost the economic capacity of women in handling their immediate challenges.
She said the RHI had over the last two years stood in the gap by providing agricultural, economic and educational support for families.
“The Renewed Hope Initiative equally embarked on financial support for women and the elderly. These and many more are the major thrust of the Renewed Hope Initiative Agenda. In doing this we have enjoyed sincere partnership”, Lady Fubara said.
Explaining further, she said: “At this programme today all 500 beneficiaries will be given N50,000 each courtesy of Tony Elumelu Foundation and RHI partnership. In deepening the gains of this partnership the Rivers State Government is also giving N50,000 to to yet another 500 batch making a total of 1000 women who will be receiving this grant.
“This collaboration has come to represent a commitment to improve the economic capacity of women in the State and I urge other well spirited organization, corporate entities and business interests to emulate this noble gesture by partnering RHI.
She added: “His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, believes that empowerment should be value targeted and has therefore asked me to congratulate beneficiaries of this empowerment programme”.
While commending the Tony Elumelu Foundation and the National Office of the Renewed Hope Initiative for the empowerment, Lady Valerie urged the recipients to use the proceeds from the partnership to support ventures that would improve the economy and their families.
In a goodwill message, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Professor Ngozi Odu applauded the collaborative efforts of Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu and the wife of Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara in putting smiles on the faces of Rivers women. She applauded Governor Fubara for the decision to support the economic development of women.
