Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, through her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), has provided a N50 million grant to 1,000 women petty traders in Kwara State.
The grant, aimed at supporting recapitalization, was announced during the commissioning of the NITDA/RHI Community ICT Centre in Ilorin on Tuesday. Each beneficiary will receive N50,000.
During her three-day official visit to Kwara State, Mrs. Tinubu inaugurated the ICT Centre, built in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), as well as other projects, including the Intensive Care Unit and Dr. Amuda Aluko Ward at the General Hospital, Ilorin.
Addressing the gathering, the First Lady revealed that another set of 1,000 women petty traders had been empowered earlier in August 2024 under the RHI Social Investment Programme.
She also highlighted grants distributed in December 2024 to 250 elderly citizens, each receiving N200,000.
As part of RHI’s Education Programme, Mrs. Tinubu announced plans to establish an Alternative High School for Girls in Kwara State, in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
This initiative aims to provide educational opportunities for girls and women who dropped out due to early pregnancies, child marriages, or other socio-economic challenges.
Additionally, the state will benefit from an Early Childhood Care Development Education (ECCDE) Centre, while Kwara State University is set to receive an ICT Experience Centre under a partnership with TETFUND.
Mrs. Tinubu also unveiled an agricultural grant of N68.9 million from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
The funds will support women and young farmers in Kwara State under RHI’s agriculture programmes, including the Women Agricultural Support Programme, Youth Agricultural Support Programme, and Young Farmers Club.
Ambassador Olufolake Abdulrazaq, wife of the Kwara State Governor, commended the ICT initiative, stating that it would equip women and youths with essential digital skills and prepare them for opportunities in the global digital economy.
The First Lady’s visit includes a homage to the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, and the distribution of food support to vulnerable groups.
On Wednesday, she is scheduled to inaugurate the newly constructed Unity Flyover in Ilorin, named after the Emir in recognition of his contributions to peace and development.
Dignitaries at the event include federal and state lawmakers, Progressives Governors Forum Chairman Hope Uzodinma, and wives of key political figures, among others.
Religious leaders, local council officials, and community stakeholders also graced the event.
