Nigerian First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has empowered 500 women traders and small-scale business owners in Cross River State with fifty thousand naira each, to revitalize their businesses.
Speaking during the launch of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) /Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Women Economic Empowerment Programme for the provision of Small Business Recapitalization Grants to 500 women in Cross River State, the First Lady who was represented by the Wife of the State Governor, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu, stated that the initiative was to assist women small-scale traders to boost their capital base.
According to her, “this Economic Empowerment Programme is about supporting the entrepreneurial spirit of our women traders and small-scale business owners who wake up each day determined 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 recapitalize your existing businesses. It is my firm belief that when you empower a woman, you empower a household, a community, and indeed, a nation.”
“I thank Tony Elumelu Foundation who donated one billion naira to the RHI to directly support 18,500 women across the nation; 500 women from each of the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory will be receiving 50,000.00 each to preselected traders to strengthen and revitalize their existing small businesses. May their generosity inspire many more across the nation,” she added.
The President’s wife thanked the Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Otu and his amiable wife for all their support in executing all the programmes of the RHI in the State for the benefits of the people.
On his part, the representative of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Cross River State Hub, Hon. Solomon Akpan, while giving a goodwill message informed that the initiative is not just a programme, but a vision, a movement and a clarion call to uplift the women of Nigeria.
“The RHI aligns perfectly with our mission because we know that when women are empowered, communities are transformed. Nations prosper, and this is evidently consistent with our mission in Africa,” he added.
Hon. Akpan averred that at the TEF, they believe that the “private sector driven by entrepreneurs can be the primary catalyst for economic transformation. The TEF has over the years empowered over 20,000 entrepreneurs across the 54 African Countries.
"We have been providing them with seed capitals, mentorship, training, among others. these beneficiaries are thousands of women across the 54 African countries.”
“Here in Cross Rover State, our hub has continued to support entrepreneurs with training, networking and mentorship opportunities. Today, as we join hands with the lauded initiative spearheaded by our first lady, we see a unique opportunity to deepen this impact.”
He commended Sen. Oluremi Tinubu for her vision in launching this initiative at the National level and Governor's Wife, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu for bringing the initiative to Cross River State with passion and commitment, prioritizing women empowerment, adding, "You are not just addressing today’s economic challenges but also securing a brighter future for generations to come. As a hub, we pledge our continuous partnership, collaboration and support in building a thriving ecosystem, where women entrepreneurs are celebrated, supported, empowered to achieve their full potential," he concluded.
In her goodwill message, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ms. Edema Erom noted that it is women's O’clock in Cross River State. "From the market women to the CUDA women to the rural women, to the vulnerable women, our Governor's Wife has ensured women's plights are alleviated. I stand here on behalf of Cross River women to appreciate the First Lady of Nigeria. Each time she sleeps, she thinks about the women."
"We also appreciate His Excellency, Governor Edet Otu, our sweet prince for the great work he is doing. Our mummy, the Governor's wife is always in the field to ensure that the women get their dues and to give them a sense of belonging by transversing the three senatorial districts for the sake of empowering women," she mentioned.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Special Adviser on Programmes to the Governor's Wife, Apostle Queen Eton, stated that the President's Wife was always in the business of putting smiles on the faces of women. "So today, the women are gathered here to benefit from the RHI/Tony Elumelu women empowerment programme. This government is sensitive about women empowerment and repositioning," she stated.
Expressing their appreciation, beneficiaries of the empowerment programme, Mrs. Esther Eni and Mrs. Augusta Asuquo Ita stated that the N50,000.00 empowerment would help them revitalise their small-scale businesses. They prayed for God to bless the First lady for being mindful of the plight of the women.
Esther Okoi
