Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the Renewed Hope Economic Empowerment and Recapitalisation Grants to support female petty traders in Akwa Ibom State. The official launch took place on Thursday at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, highlighting the government’s commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs.
Speaking at the event, Senator Tinubu, represented by the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator (Dr.) Akon Eyakenyi, addressed the economic challenges faced by small and medium enterprises, particularly those led by women. She announced that the Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Empowerment Programme would provide a total of One Billion Eight Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N1,815,000,000) to support 37,000 women petty traders across the country.
“Economic empowerment remains a core objective of the Renewed Hope Initiative, and we have consistently delivered on this promise for both women and youth across the six geopolitical zones to support the economic reforms of the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, GCFR.
“We recognize that empowering women economically is not just a moral imperative but a strategic one. When women thrive, their families thrive, and by extension, our communities and nation prosper,” she said.
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, commended the initiative, stating that it aligns with the ARISE Agenda of his administration. He also lauded the First lady for being a compassionate mother to all Nigerians.
“It is deeply humbling to know this strong emphasis placed on agriculture, education, health, economic empowerment, and social investments as the critical pipe pillars of the Renewed Hope Initiative.
“The key areas of the Renewed Hope Initiative align with our ARISE Agenda’s deep emphasis on agricultural revolution, education, and the 17 focal areas, which include tackling poverty through job creation and skills development, the provision of healthcare, especially at the primary level, and other social welfare programmes,” he said.
Governor Eno also addressed the rising cost of staple foods, emphasizing the need for Nigerians to return to farming.
“That’s why we have declared every first and third Friday of the month as Farming Free Days. The Ministry of Agriculture has done a great job by supplying farm inputs to our people, and we are hopeful that in the next harvesting period, we will have enough food to feed our people and thus reduce the prices of these staple food items,” he added.
The Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Programme in Akwa Ibom State, Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Eno, represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr. Ini Adiakpan, expressed gratitude to Senator Tinubu for her initiative, stating that the grant would aid women in expanding their businesses and help unite families.
The event was attended by prominent figures, including the Wife of the Deputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Mrs. Enobong Edidem, key female stakeholders, female council chairmen, and the wives of local government chairmen. The programme is set to benefit 1,000 women petty traders in Akwa Ibom State, each receiving a grant of N50,000 to boost their businesses.
