The Renewed Hope Initiative, a pet project of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has empowered 500 women in Ogun State, bringing smiles and renewed confidence through an empowerment scheme designed to improve livelihoods and foster self-reliance.
At the event, held in Abeokuta, the state capital, about 500 women from the 20 local government areas across the state received various forms of support, including financial assistance, tools and start-up kits to boost their small-scale businesses.
The programme aims to unlock women’s potential, build capacity for sustenance and ensure that no woman is left behind in the collective drive towards inclusive national development.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu, represented by the wife of the Ogun State Governor and State Coordinator of the initiative, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, explained that the programme aligns with her vision of lifting vulnerable groups, particularly women, out of poverty by equipping them with sustainable means of livelihood.
Mrs Abiodun noted that empowering women is central to national development as it strengthens families, promotes economic independence and fosters community growth. She appreciated the First Lady’s selfless service and generosity, stressing that the Renewed Hope Initiative has directly impacted more than 100,000 women and families nationwide.
“Since its inception, the Renewed Hope Initiative has directly impacted over 100,000 women and families by our calculation, and the number continues to grow daily. “This is a testament to your dedication and vision, and we in Ogun State remain grateful beneficiaries of your generosity and leadership,” she said.
Abiodun further stressed that one of the most impactful areas of the initiative was agricultural empowerment. She added that various grants and soft cash interventions had enabled women to start and scale up small and medium-scale businesses, thereby boosting their capacity to participate actively in the economy.
“Only a few months ago, here in Ogun State, we witnessed the launch of the Women’s Agricultural Support Programme, through which women across different local government areas received farmlands, seedlings, farm inputs and capacity-building support to strengthen food production and secure their livelihoods.
Across the nation, the programme is equipping women to be not only contributors to household food security but also key players in the agricultural value chain, thereby promoting resilience and sustainability.”
Similarly, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, represented by Mrs Taiwo Bello, said the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to empowering women across the 36 states and the FCT to achieve economic independence.
Orelope-Adefulire emphasised that the empowerment programme was not limited to distributing items but aimed at unlocking potential, fostering self-reliance and creating opportunities for women to thrive.
Beneficiaries thanked the First Lady for the support, pledging to grow their businesses and improve their families’ welfare.
The Renewed Hope Initiative, now spreading nationwide, continues to empower women, youths and vulnerable groups in line with the Tinubu administration’s drive to reduce poverty and promote inclusive growth.