In a bid to promote women’s economic independence and sustainable development, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on Friday introduced the North Central Zone Women’s Empowerment Programme at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja.
The initiative, implemented under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) in partnership with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs), aims to benefit 18,500 women across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The rollout begins with 500 women from each state in the North Central Zone.
The programme, which aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is designed to equip women with the necessary tools to establish or expand their businesses, driving economic growth and national progress.
Beneficiaries received deep-chest freezers, gas cookers with ovens, generators, and industrial grinding machines to support their entrepreneurial ventures.
Empowering women for economic growth
Speaking at the event, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu underscored the vital role of women in national development and how the programme supports global development targets.
“Women’s empowerment is crucial to achieving all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG-5 on gender equality and SDG-8 on decent work and economic growth.
“These items are not just tools; they serve as a foundation for financial stability and a brighter future for Nigerian women,” she stated.
Encouraging the beneficiaries, she added, “May these resources prosper in your hands as you contribute meaningfully to the progress of our nation.”
Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, emphasized the transformative impact of the initiative.
“Today’s programme is about unlocking potential, fostering economic independence, and providing opportunities for women to thrive,” she noted, praising the First Lady’s leadership and reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring that no woman is left behind in Nigeria’s development journey.
Minister of Women Affairs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim also lauded the initiative for its emphasis on mobilizing domestic resources to support women’s economic empowerment.
