The First Lady of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, through her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), in partnership with Office of the Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) has empowered 500 women across the 33 local government of Oyo State.
Beneficiaries of the empowerment were giving deep-chest freezers, maxi gas cookers with ovens, generators, and industrial grinding machines to support them in starting or growing their existing business.
Speaking during the event held at Oyo State government Secretariate, Agodi, Ibadan, Mrs. Tinubu, who was represented by wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde said haven’t recognised critical role women play in nation-building, the programme aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritised inclusivity, economic growth, and sustainable development for all Nigerians, particularly women’s economic empowerment.
She stated that women empowerment is central to achieving all the SDGs, especially SDG-5 on achieving gender equality and empower all women and girls, and SDG-8 on decent work and economic growth, which are all relevant to what we gather here for today.
“The items being distributed today are to equip our women with the necessary tools and resources they need to build successful businesses and to contribute to the prosperity of our great nation.”
She however urged beneficiaries of the empowerment to use the resources judiciously to grow their businesses.
“Let these items serve as a foundation for creating a better life for yourselves and your families. I hope and pray that what you received today will prosper in your hands.”
In her remark, the Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on SDG,
Princess Adejoke Orelope Adefulire said the empowerment marked another bold effort to empowered women across 36 states of the federation including FCT.
He said the empowerment was a milestone to drive meaningful economic impact across Nigeria.
She thanked Mrs Tinubu for improving life of Nigerian women, adding that RHI has been a beacon of hope to Nigerian women, giving them potentials and creating enabling environment for women to thrive.
She said one of the aim of the empowerment was to build sustainable livelihood for Nigeria women which aligned with SDG goal, urging beneficiaries of the empowerment to use it as a stepping stone towards their financial sustainability.
She however reaffirmed committement of President Tinubu towards realization of the SDG goal.
Also, the Commissioner for Women Affairs in the state, Mrs. Toyin Balogun described the empowerment as a clear demonstration of Mrs. Tinubu’s efforts towards upliftment of women and their emself reliance across Nigeria.
He however commended Tinubu’s wife’s vision and commitment towards ensuring Nigerian women are not left out in nation building, urging them not to sell the empowerment but take full advantage of it.
Some of the beneficiaries commended Tinubu’s wife, saying the empowerment will go along way in addressing their financial burden.