Remi Tinubu flags off N1bn women empowerment programme in Cross River

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has flagged off the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Women Economic Empowerment Programme in Cross River State, in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), disbursing N50,000 each to 500 women traders and small business owners to boost their enterprises.

Represented by the RHI State Coordinator, the wife of the Cross River State Governor, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu, stated that the initiative is designed to strengthen households and communities by economically empowering women.

“When you empower a woman, you empower a nation,” she said, thanking TEF for donating N1 billion to support 18,500 women across the 36 states and the FCT.

“Thanks to the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which donated N1 billion to support 18,500 women nationwide, 500 women from each of the 36 states and the FCT will receive N50,000 each to revitalise their businesses.”

She further commended the Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, and his wife, for their consistent support for RHI programmes in the state.

A representative of the Tony Elumelu Foundation described the programme as a “movement to uplift Nigerian women,” pledging continued partnership with RHI to create an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs.

“This initiative is not just a programme, it is a vision, a movement, and a clarion call to uplift the women of Nigeria.

“At the Tony Elumelu Foundation, we believe that when women are empowered, communities are transformed and nations prosper. We pledge our continued collaboration to ensure that women do not just survive but thrive,” he said.

Also speaking, Cross River Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Edema Irom, described the initiative as a testament to the unwavering commitment of the state’s First Lady to putting smiles on the faces of market women and other vulnerable groups.

Some of the pre-selected 500 beneficiaries from the state received their N50,000 cash grants at the event, with many expressing gratitude to the First Lady and TEF for the intervention.

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