Wife of the Nigerian President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has flagged-off the distribution of the One Billion Naira Small Business Recapitalization Grants to 500 women traders across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) being a total of 18,500 women to improve their businesses and their economic stability.
Presenting the N50,000 recapitalisation grant to each of the 500 beneficiaries drawn across the 17 Local Government Area of the state and other groups on Thursday , September 18, 2025, at the International Conference Centre (ICC) Enugu, Senator Tinubu, who was represented by the wife of the State Governor, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah said the initiative was made possible through a N1billion donation by the Tony Elumelu Foundation to the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Pix: Mrs Mbah ( L)
Speaking at the event, the first lady, Senator Tinubu, said the economic empowerment was to boost the entrepreneurial spirit of female petty traders, who have been doing their best to meet their family needs and uplift their communities.
“This Economic Empowerment Programme is about supporting the entrepreneurial spirit of our women traders and small-scale business owners who wake up each day determined to provide for their families, educate their children, and uplift their communities.
“Let me emphasize that this is not a loan. It is a grant and a seed of renewed hope to help you recapitalize your existing businesses. It is my firm belief that when you empower a woman, you empower a household, a community, and indeed, a nation,” she said.
Pix: Some of the women from Nkanu East Local Government with their chairperson and wife of ALGON Chairperson, Mrs Edeh
Senator Tinubu thanked Tony Elumelu for his support to RHI, saying, “I thank the Tony Elumelu Foundation, who donated One Billion Naira to the Renewed Hope Initiative, to directly support 18,500 women across the Nation. Five hundred women from each of the 36 states and the FCT will be receiving N50,000 each to strengthen and recapitalize their existing small businesses.
She also thanked the Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah and his, wife, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah for all your support in executing all the programmes of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
Pox: Owo community women
The first lady highlighted the importance of women’s economic empowerment in promoting entrepreneurship and economic growth.
The Commissioner for Children ,Gender a Affairs and Social Development Hon. Ngozi Enih appreciated senator Oluremi Tinubu and Mrs Mbah , for always reaching out to women in the state.
Speaking with Newsmen, the Senior Special Assistant to the wife of the Governor on Special Duties, Mrs Chidinma Egeonu commended the wife of the president,Senator Oluremi Tinubu and the Wife of Enugu state governor, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah for always thinking of what to do to better the lives of the women.
Pix: Mrs Egeonu
The SSA said the beneficiaries were poorest of the poor. She advised the beneficiaries to utilise the money for what it was meant for and improve their businesses.
A Beneficiary, ,Nweke Chioma , a groundnut seller from Agangwu , Enugu North Local Government Area expressed joy receiving the N50,000 grant .She thanked the first lady ,Mrs Tinubu, Governor Mbah and the wife of the governor, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah for their support to women development.
Another beneficiary, Udechukwu Udoamaka, a yam seller from from Ngwo, appreciated the donors, and promised to use the grant to boost their existing businesses. They assured they will use the grant and improve their businesses.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama