500 Women Benefit From First Lady’s Empowerment Scheme in Kwara
Five hundred women in Kwara State have benefited from the latest empowerment initiative launched by Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu.
The empowerment items, which included deep freezers, grinding machines, and gas cookers/ovens, were distributed to the beneficiaries in Ilorin, the state capital, by Kwara State Governor’s wife, Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, on behalf of Mrs. Tinubu.
Prof. AbdulRazaq explained that the empowerment scheme was part of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Support Scheme, a project by the First Lady, in collaboration with the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals.
She highlighted that the initiative was aimed at economic empowerment and the promotion of entrepreneurship among women, which she described as a significant step toward creating a more inclusive and progressive society.
“The selected beneficiaries of this phase of the scheme will receive deep freezers, power generating sets, grinding machines, and gas cookers/ovens to support their businesses and help them navigate the current economic situation,” she said.
Prof. AbdulRazaq also mentioned previous efforts under the Renewed Hope Initiative, including scholarships for 200 Nigerian students (with five beneficiaries from Kwara) and financial aid to elderly people and women farmers. Additionally, over 50,000 exercise books were distributed to schoolchildren, and support was provided for various local businesses.
She acknowledged the support of Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in empowering women through the state’s Social Investment Programmes (KWASSIP) and other initiatives, including the training and equipping of women and youth in various vocational skills such as sewing, jewelry making, confectionery, and makeup artistry.
The Governor’s wife concluded by urging the beneficiaries to make the best use of the items provided to enhance their businesses and improve their households. She emphasized that these efforts, in collaboration with the First Lady’s office, aim to positively impact the lives of women and contribute to the socio-economic development of the state.
