By Ruth Adebayo
The Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has donated a sum of N25m as matching grant to support additional 500 women through the RHI/Tony Elumelu Foundation Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) in the State.
The wife of the Governor, Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, said this at the launch of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) in collaboration with the Tony Elumelu Foundation Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Programme in Ilorin on Saturday.
Prof. AbdulRazaq, who represented Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinunu at the launch of the programme said that 500 women petty traders in the state will each receive N50,000 to boost their businesses and cushion economic hardship, adding that the Kwara Governor also donated funds for additional 500 women.
The first lady reiterated her commitment to advancing women’s economic independence through initiatives that would improve their family welfare.
She appreciated the partnership between the RHI and the Tony Elumelu Foundation while commending the Kwara State Governor and his wife for their support in executing all the programmes of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
“I thank the Tony Elumelu Foundation, who donated One billion naira to the Renewed Hope Initiative, to directly support 18,500 women across the Nation, while Five hundred women in each of the thirty-six states and the FCT will receive 50,000 naira grant to strengthen and recapitalize their existing small businesses”, Sen. Tinubu said.
Prof. AbdulRazaq appreciated the wife of the President, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, for the timely initiative and called for continued support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
She noted that small businesses form the backbone of a strong economy, while empowering women entrepreneurs strengthens families and the nation at large.
She said that part of the interventions by the RHI in the past included support through items like freezers, generators, grinding machines, gas cookers, and farm inputs distributed to beneficiaries across the state.
She also commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for social investment programmes such as Kwarapreneur, Owo Arugbo, Kwara Farm, and Digital Kwara which provide safety nets for citizens.
The governor’s wife said the Ajike People Support Centre will continue in its efforts at training women and youths in skills like sewing, confectionery, and jewelry making, while championing causes against drug abuse, gender-based violence, and human trafficking.
She urged the beneficiaries to invest the grants wisely to grow their businesses and improve household welfare.
“Meanwhile, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has also donated a sum of N25m as matching grant in support of the RHI/Tony Elumelu WEE, aimed to benefit additional five hundred women petty traders in the state with each to get N50,000 to boost their trade, cushion the effect of the economic situation and support their households.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Development in the State, Dr Nna Fatima Imam described the initiative as a practical step towards uplifting women in the country.
Imam enjoined the beneficiaries to nurture, rejuvenate and support the growth of businesses in the state and across the nation.
