Tinubu’s wife, Elumelu foundation empower 500 women in Bauchi

A total of 500 women in Bauchi State have been empowered with the sum of N25 million, receiving N50,000 each, through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) — a project of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu — in collaboration with the Tony Elumelu Foundation Women Economic Empowerment Programme, under the small business recapitalisation grant scheme.

The beneficiaries were drawn from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State, as well as other women’s groups and associations across the state.

Speaking at the distribution ceremony held at the Dr. Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu Square, Government House, Bauchi, the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, stated:

“I am delighted to be here to flag off the Women Economic Empowerment Programme of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) in conjunction with the Tony Elumelu Foundation in Bauchi State.”

Represented by the First Lady of Bauchi State, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed, the President’s wife further stated:

“This Economic Empowerment Programme is about supporting the entrepreneurial spirit of our women traders and small-scale business owners who wake up each day determined to provide for their families, educate their children, and uplift their communities.”

She added: “Let me emphasize that this is not a loan. It is a grant — a seed of renewed hope to help you recapitalize your existing businesses. It is my firm belief that when you empower a woman, you empower a household, a community, and indeed, a nation.”

Oluremi Tinubu expressed gratitude to the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which donated N1 billion to the Renewed Hope Initiative, enabling direct support for 18,500 women across the nation — with 500 women from each of the 36 states and the FCT receiving N50,000 each to strengthen and recapitalize their businesses.

According to her: “I will be presenting the sum of N50,000 each to some of the pre-selected 500 beneficiaries at this event today. I thank the Tony Elumelu Foundation once again for this support. May this act of generosity inspire many more across our nation.”

She concluded by thanking the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, and his wife, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed, for their support in executing the programmes of the RHI.

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In her remarks, Zainab Ibrahim, an alumna of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, explained that the gesture was aimed at helping women recapitalize and boost their businesses to remain self-employed. She emphasized that the collaborative effort between the Foundation and the Office of the First Lady of Nigeria is designed to support rural women across the country and lift them out of poverty.

She urged beneficiaries to use the funds wisely to strengthen their existing businesses and support their families.

Also speaking, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, Zainab Babban Takko, reiterated the state government’s commitment to poverty eradication through various interventions. She commended Senator Oluremi Tinubu for an initiative that is empowering women and vulnerable groups nationwide, saying the programme has already lifted many women out of poverty.

The Commissioner also lauded Aisha Bala Mohammed, Bauchi State First Lady, for her continued support for women and children through her office and the Al-Muhibbah Foundation.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Poverty Alleviation, Monica Warji, assured that the current administration will continue to implement programmes aimed at reducing poverty in the state, especially among women. She added that since the inception of the Bala Mohammed-led PDP administration, numerous individuals across the state have benefited from various skills acquisition and empowerment initiatives.