By Ruth Adebayo
The First Lady of Kwara State, founder AJike People Support Center and Chairperson Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum, Amb. Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq has launched the distribution of empowerment materials to 500 women, aligning with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The initiative, tailored to empower 500 women in the State, aims to foster self-reliance and financial independence. To achieve this, the program provides essential equipment, including deep freezers, power generating sets, grinding machines, and gas cookers/ovens which will enable the beneficiaries to engage meaningfully in their trades and mitigate the impact of the current economic situation.
According to Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq, small businesses form the basis of a strong economy, therefore, the gesture seeks not only to empower the ventures of women but also to engage them in financially rewarding activities, thereby contributing to the economic growth and development of our country.
She also noted that her engagements within and outside Kwara State are borne out of her sincere commitment to ensuring that Kwara indigenes and residents feel the genuine impact of good governance and ultimately benefit from the dividends of democracy as it is evident today.
Professor AbdulRazaq also urged recipients of the government’s goodwill to make judicious use of the resources provided. She encouraged beneficiaries of the gesture by Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, which was supported by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President, to utilize the items received to enhance their businesses and improve their household’s well-being, contribute to prosperity development and make better the lot of Kwarans.
She lauded the gesture of the Renewed Hope Initiative by Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, as an highlight to prioritizing small businesses and promoting economic empowerment and welfare of women.
She also commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his innovative strategies for addressing the challenges faced by women, children, youth, and the elderly. Through his well-planned social investment programs which provide a vital safety net for small and medium-scale businesses, as well as individual beneficiaries.
Some of the beneficiaries of the SDG empowerment programs are Mrs Memunat Abdullahi, Mrs Oyinloye Abidemi, Mrs Kareem Kudirat, Mrs Yusuf Mariam, Mrs Ismail Atinuke, Mrs Akanbi Deborah, Mrs Ahmed Risikat and many others.
Amb. AbdulRazaq expressed appreciation to all stakeholders, beneficiaries, and partners who have supported the empowerment programs.
