The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) and with support from the Rivers State Government, has empowered 1,000 women in the state with a N50,000 cash grant each.
At the Women Economic Empowerment Programme held on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at Government House, Port Harcourt, 500 women received N50,000 each through the RHI–TEF partnership, while the Rivers State Government, led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his wife, Lady Valerie Fubara, provided the same support to another 500 women.
Represented by Lady Valerie Fubara, Senator Remi Tinubu said the initiative aims to strengthen women traders and small-scale entrepreneurs, acknowledging their resilience in supporting their families and communities.
“This is not a loan but a grant — a seed of renewed hope to help recapitalise your businesses. When you empower a woman, you empower a household, a community, and a nation,” the First Lady stated.
She appreciated the Tony Elumelu Foundation for its N1 billion donation to RHI, targeted at supporting 18,500 women nationwide, with 500 beneficiaries in each state and the FCT. Mrs. Tinubu also commended Governor Fubara and his wife for their collaboration and urged other individuals and organizations to emulate Elumelu’s generosity.
Lady Valerie Fubara described the empowerment as a boost to women’s economic capacity and part of RHI’s broader efforts in agricultural, economic, and educational support.
“At today’s event, 500 women are benefiting through RHI–TEF partnership, while another 500 will receive grants from the Rivers State Government — totaling 1,000 empowered women. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to enhance women’s economic strength in our state,” she said.
She urged beneficiaries to invest the grants wisely, noting that Governor Fubara believes empowerment must be “value-targeted.”
In her goodwill message, Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, commended Senator Tinubu and Lady Fubara for their collaboration, lauding the governor’s support for women’s economic development.
Similarly, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Roselyne Uranta, and retired Justice Mary Odili expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and his wife for prioritizing women’s empowerment and praised Governor Fubara for complementing the effort at the state level.
