Renewed Hope Initiative partners Tony Elumelu Foundation to empower 500 kogi women 

By Florence Kalu

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI)/Tony Elumelu Foundation Women Economic Empowerment Programme in Kogi State, distributing N25 million in grants to 500 women beneficiaries.

Each recipient got N50,000 to boost their small-scale businesses, part of a nationwide initiative benefiting 18,500 women across 36 states and the FCT.

Represented by Kogi State’s First Lady, Hajia Sefinat Usman Ododo, Senator Tinubu emphasized that empowering women strengthens households, communities, and the nation, highlighting the programme’s alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“This is not a loan. It is a grant and a seed of renewed hope to help you recapitalise your existing businesses. It is my firm belief that when you empower a woman, you empower a household, a community, and indeed, a nation,” she said.

The initiative, made possible through a N1 billion donation from the Tony Elumelu Foundation to the Renewed Hope Initiative, will directly benefit 18,500 women nationwide. Under the scheme, 500 women in each of the 36 states and the FCT will receive N50,000 each.

At the Kogi State launch, some of the pre-selected beneficiaries were presented with their grants in Lokoja.

Senator Tinubu commended the Tony Elumelu Foundation for its generosity, expressing hope that such acts of kindness would inspire more contributions towards women empowerment across the country.

She also appreciated the support of the Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, and his wife, Hajia Sefinat Usman Ododo, for their commitment to the success of the Renewed Hope Initiative in the state.

Flagging off the programme, the First Lady reaffirmed her commitment to advancing women’s economic independence through initiatives that strengthen households, communities, and the nation at large.