By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo
Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, has empowered 500 Women in Akwa Ibom with items aimed at enhancing their businesses.
This is even as the Cordinator of the Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom, Mrs elen Obareki has commended Mrs Tinubu for her bipartisan approach to empowerment
At the empowerment programme weekend in Uyo, the Nigeria’s First Lady said the programme organised through her platform, Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), was in partnership with office of Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, in recognition of the vital role women play in nation building.
Represented by wife of the Senate President, Dr. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, she said that the empowerment programme which is targeted at 18,500 women across the 6 geopolitical zones of the country is aimed at equiping them with the necessary tools to contribute to Nigeria’s growth.
“This programme acknowledges the vital role women play in nation build and also aligns with renewed hope agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which emphasizes inclusivity, economic growth and sustainable development for all Nigerians with a particular focus on empowering women economically.
“The items distributed here today aims 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 noted.
While disclosing that the programme held simultaneously in other states of the Niger Delta geopolitical zone except Rivers State the President’s wife urged the beneficiaries to use the items judiciously to grow their individual businesses.
In her remarks, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, Mrs Helen Eno Obareki, commended the country’s First Lady for empowering rural women described the event as a milestone in the journey towards promoting women’s empowerment and supporting their economic independence.
Obareki stated that the programme would create a more equitable and just society where women would reach their full potentials.
“These empowerment items (Deep freezers, Grinding Machines, Generating Sets, Gas Cookers etc.) represent the commitment of our mother, the Nation’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu to strengthen businesses and improve the livelihood of our rural women,” she remarked.
She urged the beneficiaries selected across party lines to make judicious use of items received as they are the backbone of their families and the state at large.
Governor Umo Eno who was represented by the Commissioner, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Ms Emem Ibanga acknowledged Senator Tinubu’s choice of Akwa Ibom State as a focal point for her commendable interventions in the South-South region, and stated that the initiative aligned with his administration’s ARISE Agenda, with emphasis on social welfare, economic empowerment, and inclusive growth.
Eno noted that this initiative exemplified genuine compassion and service to humanity, and that Akwa Ibom State was proud to partner in this journey of hope, renewal, and shared prosperity, urging the beneficiaries to nurture, cultivate and allow the empowerment to flourish into prosperity for themselves and their families.
Earlier, the SSA to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mrs Adegoke Orelope-Adefulire in her welcome address, stated that women’s economic empowerment is a key driver to sustainable development noting that the RHI women empowerment programme aligned with the national development priorities of Nigeria and the SDGs, aimed at unlocking the potentials for women and creating opportunities for them to thrive.
Adefulire said that 500 women have been selected from each state across the South-South zone and would be empowered with items including, gas cookers, generators, deep freezers and grinding machines to strengthen their capacity, build sustainable livelihood, transform the economy and contribute to national development.
