Amid biting economic hardship in the country, Nigeria’s first lady, Remi Tinubu, says the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu is offering grants to women to start roasted corn, kulikuli, and akara businesses.

Mrs Tinubu, who made the remarks after hosting wives of the 36 state governors in Abuja on Wednesday, highlighted the financial interventions provided through her office to vulnerable Nigerians.

“We’re trying to give hope. To start akara business doesn’t take a lot of money. To start roasting corn business and kulikuli business doesn’t take much. We didn’t give them as loans; we gave them as grants. So we have encouraged Nigerians as best as we could,” Mrs Tinubu stated.

Noting that Mr Tinubu’s administration and her office are committed to advancing the hopes of Nigerians, Mrs Tinubu outlined her specific financial support in agriculture, health, education and social investment.

“What’s within our hands we have given, and I keep giving. Those are the things we have done. I remember giving N2 billion for TB cases. For breast cancer, I gave a billion (naira). For food malnutrition, I gave half a billion (naira).

“In agriculture and social investment, we have done a lot, too. In education, we give scholarships and ICT training. These are the things we have been doing to make sure that whatever this government is trying to do will see the light of day. We’re still open. We still want to do more,” Mrs Tinubu explained.

The first lady insisted the negative narratives about the country’s situation had really changed, urging Nigerians to be hopeful in line with the administration’s renewed hope agenda.

“The narrative has really changed to challenge the average man to ensure that the average man has hope. I like the idea that Mr President said there is a renewed hope agenda. We have to renew our hope. I will tell Nigerians never to give up. We’re a very proud nation,” Mrs Tinubu added.