Renewed Hope Initiative: Niger State First Lady disburse N25m economic empowerment grants to 500 women
From Our Correspondent
Hajiya Fatima Bago, Wife of Niger State Governor and the state Coordinator of Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), has disbursed N25 million Economic Empowerment programme grant to 500 women in the state.
Recalled that Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, Wife of the President has on Aug. 5, launched the programme under her pet project, Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with Tony Elumeu Foundation.
The programme is to support 18,500 women entrepreneurs with business recapitalisation grants nationwide including FCT with N50,000 each.
She explained that the disbursement was in continuation of the programme launched in Niger state by Sen. Oluremi Tinubu where she made a symbolic presentation of N50,000 to 50 women.
The First lady urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the grants and advised those without businesses to venture into entrepreneurship.
“This grant is a seed of trust, placed in your capable hands, use it wisely, grow it, let it change your story and spire others,” she said.
She reiterated that the grants were meant to empower women and improve their livelihoods.
She commended the partnership between RHI and the Tony Elumeu Foundation, saying it was a shining example of how private sector and national programme could work together to create lasting impact.
She also thanked her husband, Gov. Umaru Bago for his support for programmes that uplift women and children, adding that his belief in inclusive development was a solid pillar.
Earlier in a welcome address, Mrs Mary Noel-Berje, Special Adviser to Niger Governor on Women and Affirmative Action, advised the beneficiaries to make wives of the president and the governor proud by improving their businesses.
“You must multiple what you have been given today, because businesses can be started small and small can lead to a higher yield, you can use of the little gotten today to become self-reliance,” she said.
Also speaking, Mrs Afiniki Dauda, Deputy Speaker of Niger state House of Assembly, promised to monitor the beneficiaries, especially those from zone B, to ensure they used the grant wisely.
In their separate remarks, the beneficiaries including Alheri Yafimugunta and Aisha Yawa, thanked the wives of the president and the governor for the gesture and promised to use money to improve their businesses.
