Women empowerment, catalyst for household, community, national progress – First Lady

First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Wednesday said that women’s empowerment was a catalyst for household, community and national progress, as she supported in strengthening Anambra women’s entrepreneurial spirit.

Oluremi, who was represented by the Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, made the assertion at the Economic Empowerment programme for 1000 women under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

The programme is in conjunction with the Tony Elumelu Foundation and Anambra State Government

Our correspondent reports that on Tuesday, the First Lady inaugurated the empowerment programme for 18,500 women nationwide.

The programme targeted women traders and small-scale business owners, with each recipient receiving a grant of N50,000.

According to her, women empowerment is a catalyst for household, community and national progress.

“This seed fund is to support the entrepreneurial spirit of women, strengthen and recapitalise their businesses and small-scale enterprises.

“When you empower a woman, you empower a household, a community and the future of the nation at large.

“I thank Gov. Chukwuma Soludo and his wife for supporting RHI programmes in the state.

“The Initiative planned to empower 500 beneficiaries in Anambra but the state government supported with additional 500 beneficiaries,” she said.

The First Lady urged the women to use the funds to grow their businesses and improve their lives and families.

In her remarks, Mrs Ify Obinabo, Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, thanked the First Lady for recognising the importance of women empowerment in building strong families.

She praised Dr Nonye Soludo for not only delivering the funds but increasing the number of beneficiaries from 500 to 1,000, calling the gesture commendable.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Esther Ikpeazu, a corn vendor in Nnewi, expressed her gratitude to the government for prioritising the welfare of women at the grassroots.