Minna: Hajiya Fatima Bago, Wife of the Niger State Governor and state Coordinator of Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), has disbursed N25 million Economic Empowerment programme grant to 500 women in the state.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, had on Aug. 5, launched the programme under her pet project, Renewed Hope Initiative, in conjunction with Tony Elumeu Foundation.
The programme aimed to support 18,500 women entrepreneurs nationwide, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with N50,000 each.
She explained that the disbursement was in continuation of the programme launched in Niger state by the First Lady, where she made a symbolic presentation of N50,000 to 50 women.
Mrs Bago urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the grants and advised those without businesses to venture into entrepreneurship.
“This grant is a seed of trust placed in your capable hands. Use it wisely, grow it, let it change your story and inspire others,” she said.
She reiterated that the grants were meant to empower women and improve their livelihoods. The governor’s wife commended the partnership between RHI and the Tony Elumeu Foundation, saying it was a shining example of how the private sector and national programme could work together to create a lasting impact.
She also thanked her husband, Gov. Umaru Bago, for his support for programmes that uplift women and children, adding that his belief in inclusive development was a solid pillar.
Earlier in her remarks, Mrs Mary Noel-Berje, Special Adviser to the Niger Governor on Women and Affirmative Action, advised the beneficiaries to make the First Lady and the governor’s wife proud by improving their businesses.
“You must multiply what you have been given today, because businesses can be started small and can lead to a higher yield; you can use the little you get today to become self-reliant,” she said.
Also speaking, Mrs Afiniki Dauda, Deputy Speaker of the Niger House of Assembly, promised to monitor the beneficiaries, especially those from zone B, to ensure they used the grant wisely.
In their separate remarks, the beneficiaries, including Alheri Yafimugunta and Aisha Yawa, thanked the wives of the president and the governor for the gesture and promised to use the money to improve their businesses.
