The wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti representing the wife of the President Sen. Oluremi Tinubu
500 petty women traders from Abia State and across Nigeria have received a N50,000 grant each under the Renewed Hope Initiative in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, aimed at boosting small businesses and promoting women’s economic empowerment.
Speaking at the launch of the programme in Abia, the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, represented by the Abia State First Lady, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, said the initiative supports the entrepreneurial drive of women who strive daily to provide for their families, educate their children, and uplift their communities.
She clarified that the empowerment is a grant, not a loan, a seed of renewed hope to help women recapitalize their businesses.
“It is my firm belief that when you empower a woman, you empower a household, a community, and indeed, a nation,” she said.
Mrs. Otti commended the Tony Elumelu Foundation and Governor Alex Otti for their strong support in driving the Renewed Hope Initiative forward in Abia State.
In her address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Maureen Aghukwa, described the initiative as a “day of hope” for women, stressing that such support lifts not just individual families but entire communities out of poverty.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Industry and SMEs, Mr. Mike Akpara, and the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs. Blessing Felix (represented by Mr. Boniface Kalu), hailed the programme as a reflection of good governance in Abia.
They commended the unwavering commitment of the Abia State Government to empower women and to lift families out of poverty.
Meanwhile, the Representative of the Tony Elumelu Foundation in Abia, Mr. Ikechukwu Arua Uka urged beneficiaries to apply prudent financial management, noting that the foundation is committed to empowering not just women, but also men and youth across Nigeria and 54 African countries to lift families out poverty.
In a related development, Mrs. Otti paid an unscheduled visit to Afo Ibeji market in Umuahia South LGA and Ahia eketa in Isiala Ngwa South LGA where she empowered petty traders with financial grant to marks the International Day of Charity.
