Senator Oluremi Tinubu empowers 500 Abia women with N50,000 grants to recapitalise small businesses, fostering growth, empowerment, and community impact.
The wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has provided a financial lifeline to 500 women entrepreneurs in Abia State through the disbursement of N50,000 recapitalisation grants each.
The initiative, according to her, is intended to strengthen existing small businesses and encourage financial independence among women.
The grants were presented during the official launch of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI)/Tony Elumelu Foundation Women Economic Empowerment Programme held in Umuahia, the state capital.
Senator Tinubu, who was represented by the wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs. Pricillia Otti, emphasised that the programme was conceived to support hardworking Nigerian women who, despite challenges, remain committed to sustaining their households and communities.
She explained that the financial support was not to be misconstrued as a loan requiring repayment but rather as a grant and a seed of renewed hope.
“This grant is a direct intervention to help you recapitalise your businesses. It is for the women who rise each day with determination to feed their families, ensure their children’s education, and contribute positively to society.
“We want you to see this as an opportunity to strengthen what you already have,” she stated.
The First Lady further commended the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, and his wife for the role they played in facilitating the successful rollout of the initiative.
She noted that collaborative efforts between federal and state stakeholders remain vital in ensuring that women-centred programmes such as this reach the grassroots and achieve lasting impact.
A representative of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Ikechukwu Uka, also addressed the gathering, stressing that the purpose of the grant goes beyond immediate relief.
He clarified that the funds should not be misused on personal or non-productive expenses such as fashion accessories, house rent, or hairdressing.
Instead, he urged the beneficiaries to channel the money into meaningful ventures that would expand their businesses and stimulate wider economic growth.
“This is not just for you alone,” Uka said.
“The goal is to create a ripple effect—one that leads to further empowerment, generates employment for others, and builds a better future for our children.
“By investing wisely, you become part of a larger vision for national economic progress.”
On behalf of the 500 women beneficiaries, Mrs. Linda Nwosu expressed heartfelt appreciation to the First Lady and the Foundation for their generosity and foresight.
She pledged that the grants would be used judiciously, assuring that the women were committed to making the intervention a success.
“This support will not go to waste,” she said.
“We will use it to grow our businesses and to ensure that other women and our families benefit from this empowerment opportunity.”
The Renewed Hope Initiative, spearheaded by Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has continued to roll out targeted empowerment projects across different states in Nigeria.
The programme, often delivered in partnership with reputable organisations like the Tony Elumelu Foundation, seeks to provide women and vulnerable groups with practical resources to expand their economic potential and strengthen family well-being.