By HeapNews
Women’s empowerment is not just a tool for economic upliftment, it is the foundation for national development. This was the central message of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as 1,000 women in Anambra State received grants to support and expand their small businesses.
Represented by the Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo, Mrs. Tinubu made the declaration on Wednesday at the Economic Empowerment Programme organised under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation and the Anambra State Government.
The initiative, originally designed to benefit 500 women in the state, was doubled to 1,000 beneficiaries thanks to the backing of Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his wife.
“This seed fund is to support the entrepreneurial spirit of women, to strengthen and recapitalise their businesses,” Mrs. Tinubu said. “When you empower a woman, you empower a household, a community, and the future of the nation at large.”
Each woman received a N50,000 grant, targeted specifically at traders and small-scale business owners. The programme follows the national launch of the RHI economic empowerment programme, which kicked off on Tuesday in Minna, Niger State, and aims to reach 18,500 women nationwide.
“I thank Gov. Chukwuma Soludo and his wife for supporting the Renewed Hope Initiative in the state,” the First Lady added. “Their commitment has enabled us to touch even more lives than planned.”
Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ify Obinabo, commended the First Lady for prioritising women’s economic roles in building resilient families.
“Dr. Nonye Soludo didn’t just represent the First Lady; she amplified the impact by increasing the beneficiaries. That is a commendable act of leadership and empathy,” Obinabo stated.
For women like Janet Asika, a hairstylist from Aguata, the grant is more than just financial aid—it’s a turning point.
“I’m truly grateful to the government. This support shows that the needs of grassroots women like me are being heard and addressed,” she said with joy.
The First Lady urged all beneficiaries to use the funds wisely, grow their ventures, and transform not just their livelihoods, but the economic landscape of their communities.