By Hafsah Tilde
Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi says traditional institutions, community leaders and grassroots partnerships were critical to the Renewed Hope Initiative’s (RHI) success, which reached 27,345 beneficiaries across the Federal Capital Territory over three years.
Benjamins-Laniyi spoke in Abuja during the three-year celebration of RHI FCT (2023–2026), themed “Our Stories, Her Impact”, and the presentation of the initiative’s impact report to stakeholders.
She said the programme demonstrated how women-led community engagement could effectively deliver development interventions to vulnerable populations, while promoting inclusion, empowerment and access to opportunities across communities in the territory.
“There is no family left behind. It wasn’t a gender agenda. She only used the power of women to reach everyone in the community,” she said.
According to her, the FCT recorded 27,345 direct beneficiaries under the initiative, while an additional 2,000 persons benefited from agricultural interventions that supported livelihoods and enhanced food security.
“I return you the reports not merely written on paper, but written in lives,” she said while presenting the initiative’s achievements and impact across communities.
Benjamins-Laniyi said the figures reflected transformed lives, strengthened families and communities that gained access to opportunities through empowerment programmes, while acknowledging traditional rulers and grassroots leaders for their support.
“I went from Orange Walk to Orange Waka, and I waka, and went to all the communities,” she said, reflecting on efforts to deepen community engagement.
She explained that the initiative was designed to deliver hope and opportunities to women, youths, farmers and vulnerable groups, while fostering inclusive development and sustainable community growth across the FCT.
Benjamins-Laniyi called for sustained collaboration among government institutions, traditional leaders, development partners and communities to deepen grassroots development efforts and expand the impact of empowerment programmes nationwide.
In her remarks, First Lady of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, said the Renewed Hope Initiative was established to complement government efforts through people-centred interventions that improve livelihoods and create opportunities.
Tinubu said the initiative had supported women, youths, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups through grants, skills acquisition programmes, educational support and health interventions nationwide.
She urged beneficiaries to extend support to others within their communities, emphasising that compassion, service and shared responsibility remained essential pillars for achieving sustainable development and social progress.
Also speaking, Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, described the initiative as a testament to visionary leadership, strategic partnerships and collective action in advancing inclusive national development.
She said the programme had empowered women, strengthened families, equipped young people with practical skills and promoted inclusion for persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups nationwide.
Among beneficiaries, Martha Adamu, popularly known as Loud It, said support received through the initiative enabled her to establish a shoe-making business and attain financial independence.
“Before, I didn’t have anything to do. Now I make shoes, earn a living and teach other women the trade,” she said.
Also speaking, Amb. Mube Awala, representing Persons with Disabilities, said women with disabilities benefited from healthcare support, empowerment opportunities and business grants through the initiative.
She said many beneficiaries had used the support received to improve livelihoods, pay school fees and provide better care for their families and dependants.
Farida Suleiman, APC FCT Women Leader, said women across communities benefited from empowerment programmes, including grants, tricycles, sewing machines and other livelihood support initiatives.
She said the interventions expanded economic opportunities for women in rural communities and strengthened support systems for vulnerable households across the Federal Capital Territory.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru