The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday in Akure gave out grants to 500 small-scale women entrepreneurs in Ondo State under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) in collaboration with the Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Mrs Tinubu, represented by the wife of Ondo State governor, Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, said the grant was to boost small businesses in the state.

She said, “This economic empowerment programme is about supporting the entrepreneurial spirit of our women traders and small-scale business owners, who wake up each day to provide for their families, educate children and uplift their communities. Let me let you know that this is not a loan. It’s a grant and a seed of renewed hope to help you recapitalise your existing businesses.’’

The first lady, who commended the Tony Elumelu Foundation for the donation of N1 billion toward the initiative, noted that it would cut across the nation.

According to her, each beneficiary will receive N50,000, while a total of 18,500 will benefit across the nation.

Mrs Tinubu extended gratitude to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his wife for their support in executing RHI programmes.

Also speaking, the state’s Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Seun Osamaye, said that the Aiyedatiwa-led administration enabled the state to benefit immensely from the federal government.

Ms Osamaye thanked the first lady and the governor’s wife for their support, as well as the foundation for the initiative. 

(NAN)