RHI - News Agency Of Nigeria

Tosin Kolade
Aug, Sat, 2025

Tinubu committed to women development – First Lady

By Oluwatope Lawanson/Celine-Damilola Oyewole

The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, says the administration of President Bola Tinubu is committed to empowering women economically to achieve Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs).

The first lady said this on Saturday in Lagos at the official flag-off of Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) in South-West Geo-political Zone and presentation of RHI/SDGs empowerment items to 1,000 women in the zone.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the empowerment programme was a collaborative effort of RHI and the Office of the Senior Special Assistance to the President on Sustainable Development Goals.

The empowerment programme is part of a nationwide initiative aimed at lifting 18,500 women accross the nation out of poverty.

The RHI, a humanitarian programme of the first lady, was aimed to complement President Bola Tinubu’s agenda for every citizen to benefit directly from government programmes.

The first lady said that 500 pre-selected women in Lagos State and other South-West states would be provided with items such as deep-chest freezers, maxi gas cookers with ovens, power generators, and industrial grinding machines.

“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.

“These items will be distributed by state first ladies/RHI state coordinators in the South-West Zone,” she said.

The first lady said that the tools were given to support the women in starting or growing their existing businesses.

“To the beneficiaries, I encourage you to use these resources judiciously to grow your businesses.

“Let these items serve as a foundation for creating a better life for yourselves and your families,” the first lady said.

She praised Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for supporting the programme with additional 500 empowerment items, bringing the total number of beneficiaries in Lagos State to 1,000.

“I commend Mr Governor for this gesture and his commitment to the growth and development of women in Lagos State.

“In recognition of the critical role women play in nation-building, this programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, which prioritises inclusivity, economic growth and sustainable development for all Nigerians, particularly women.

“Empowerment of women in all spheres of life is central to achieving all the SDGs, especially SDG-5 – achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls – and SDG-8 – achieving decent work and economic growth – which are all relevant to the purpose of this gathering,” she said.

She also commended the Senior Special Adviser to the President on SDGs, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, for her support.

Earlier, Orelope-Adefulire charged the beneficiaries to make maximum use of the empowerment items.

According to her, the initiative, which is part of President Bola Tinubu’s agenda, aims to empower women and promote economic transformation across the country.

She said: “The programme is not just about distributing items. It is about unlocking potential, fostering economic independence and creating opportunities for women to thrive.”

She emphasised that economic empowerment of women was a crucial driver for gender equality, poverty reduction and sustainable development.

“The empowerment items, which include gas cookers, generators, deep freezers and grinding machines, are designed to equip women with the tools they need to build sustainable livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to national development,” she said.

Orelope-Adefulire thaned Sen. Oluremi Tinubu for her initiative and leadership in improving the lives of women, men, youths and underserved communities across the 36 states of Nigeria.

She also thanked the Lagos State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative and the wife of the Governor of Lagos State for support.

Orelope-Adefulire also thanked Lagos State Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for thoughtful initiatives that complemented the Federal Government’s programme, projects and policies.

“We thank you for additional support of 500 equipment to the initiative.

“I encourage the beneficiaries to make the best of the opportunity.

“Let this empowerment material serve as a stepping stone towards financial independence for youth, business development and sustainable livelihood.

“When a woman is empowered, a woman is able to build, the community is strengthened, and the nation prospers.”

In his remarks, Sanwo-Olu described the programme as historic and a powerful testament of compassion.

“This gesture is a testament of leadership and unwavering belief that when we lift a woman, we lift families, we lift communities and, indeed, we lift an entire nation.

“Your Excellency, our mother, our beloved first lady, words are certainly not enough to capture the depths of our gratitude that we feel toward you for your timeless commitment to the empowerment of women across our nation.

“We have watched you, we have heard your voice, your voice of courage, you have been a pillar of strength and a beacon of hope for women and children.

“This ceremony which is the empowerment of 1,000 women is far more than the distribution of support. It is sowing the seed that will grow into forests of possibility.”(NAN)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

RHI: 500 women get N25m empowerment grant in Niger

Ismail Abdulaziz
Aug, Fri, 2025

General News

RHI: 500 women get N25m empowerment grant in Niger

By Rita Iliya

Hajiya Fatima Bago, Wife of Niger Governor and state Coordinator of Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), has disbursed N25 million Economic Empowerment programme grant to 500 women in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, had on Tuesday, launched the programme under her pet project, Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with Tony Elumelu Foundation.

NAN reports that the programme was to support 18,500 women entrepreneurs with business recapitalisation grants nationwide including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with N50,000 each.

She explained that the disbursement was in continuation of the programme launched in Niger by the First Lady, where she made a symbolic presentation of N50,000 to 50 women.

Bago urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the grants and advised those without businesses to venture into entrepreneurship.

“This grant is a seed of trust placed in your capable hands, use it wisely, grow it, let it change your story and inspire others,” she said.

She reiterated that the grants were meant to empower women and improve their livelihoods.

The governor’s wife commended the partnership between RHI and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, saying it was a shining example of how private sector and national programme could work together to create lasting impact.

She also thanked her husband, Gov. Umaru Bago for his support for programmes that uplift women and children, adding that his belief in inclusive development was a solid pillar.

Earlier in her remarks, Mrs Mary Noel-Berje, Special Adviser to Niger Governor on Women and Affirmative Action, advised the beneficiaries to make the First Lady and governor’s wife proud by improving their businesses.

“You must multiple what you have been given today, because businesses can be started small and can lead to a higher yield, you can use the little gotten today to become self-reliant,” she said.

Also speaking, Mrs Afiniki Dauda, Deputy Speaker of Niger House of Assembly, promised to monitor the beneficiaries, especially those from zone B, to ensure they use the grant wisely.

In their remarks, the beneficiaries including Alheri Yafimugunta and Aisha Yawa, thanked the wives of the president and the governor for the gesture and promised to use money to improve their businesses. (NAN)

Edited by Isaac Ukpoju

RHI donates N500m, assorted items to flood victims

Tosin Kolade
Aug, Tue, 2025

General News

RHI donates N500m, assorted items to flood victims

By Joan Nwagwu

The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) has donated five hundred million Naira and other assorted items to victims and families of those who lost their lives by flood in Yola South Local Government Area in Adamawa.

The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, disclosed this during a condolence visit to the government and people of Adamawa on Tuesday.

It would be recalled that a devastating flood claimed some lives and displaced many people from their homes recently in Adamawa.

The first lady, who was represented by Hajiya Nana Shettima, wife of the Vice President, said the donations would assist the flood victims and families of those who lost their lives.

“We are also donating 1,000 Ankara fabric and also six cartons of shea butter lotion, four cartons of shea butter oil, five cartons of petroleum jelly, two cartons of shea butter cream, 13 cartons of hand sanitizer and others,” she said.

Tinubu also presented food items under the Outreach Programme of RHI to the First Lady of Adamawa for onward distribution to people living with disabilities and vulnerable groups in the state.

“We have distributed food items to 15 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Oyo, Ondo and Plateau and by the grace of God, Bayelsa state will be the next beneficiary,” she said.

Tinubu commended the two partner donors, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) and the other who preferred anonymity, for their constant support and commitment.

Earlier, Hajiya Lami Fintiri, First Lady of Adamawa, who received the donations for onward distribution, commended the First Lady and the RHI for their support.

Fintiri said that the gesture would bring quick succour to the victims of flood in the state.

The first lady of Adamawa, who was represented by Prof. Kaletapwa Farauta, Deputy Governor of Adamawa, commended the first lady for the visit.

According to her, the figure of people who lost their lives rose to 29, with thousands of people displaced from their homes.

“We have a camp where we have the people who were displaced, but due to the quick intervention of the state government, the people have returned back and counting their loses.

“So, we want to thank the federal government for all they have done for the people of Adamawa state and for raising the hope of the common man on the state and I want to assure you that the donations will be share accordingly,” she said.

Also Mr Ubon Udoh, Managing Director, Chief Executives Officer of ASR Africa, said the collaboration with RHI was designed to cater for the vulnerable members of the community for poverty reduction.

Udoh said that the ASR Africa commited 100 million dollars to impacting lives yearly.

“That is 50 million dollars is spent every year within Nigeria and another 50 million dollars is spent across the Africa continent.

“Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu is committed to a new and better Nigeria and partnering with the RHI is the only way we can achieve this.

“Through this partnership with RHI, we can assure you that we will be steady partners to uplift our communities, within Nigeria and outside the country,” he said.

Similarly, the First Lady said that the Tony Elumelu Foundation was partnering with the RHI on Women Economic Empowerment Programme to support 18,500 women across the country.

The first lady made the symbolic presentation of Financial Support to the beneficiaries of the RHI/Tony Elumelu Foundation Women Economic Empowerment Programme on Tuesday in Adamawa.

She said that the partnership would empower 500 women small businesses to set and recapitalise with grants of N50,000 each.

“Today this programme is being inaugurated in Adamawa state and Niger state simultaneously. Also we will disburse the empowerment funds to beneficiaries in other states and the FCT very shortly.

“So, I will be giving out the sum of N50,000 each to some of the beneficiaries at this event today,” she said.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz