IBARA – In a significant boost to female entrepreneurship, the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), spearheaded by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has empowered 500 businesswomen in Ogun State. The economic empowerment programme, executed in collaboration with the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), provided essential business tools to beneficiaries from all 20 local government areas of the state.
The distribution ceremony was held at the Presidential Lodge, GRA Ibara, on Saturday, August 23, 2025. The women received items including deep freezers, gas cookers with ovens, generators, and grain grinding machines. This intervention is a part of a broader national programme aiming to reach 18,500 women across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu, represented by the wife of the Ogun State Governor and RHI State Coordinator, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, underscored the critical importance of women’s empowerment to national development. “This programme acknowledges the vital role women play in nation-building and aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, which emphasises inclusivity, economic growth, and sustainable development for all Nigerians, with a particular focus on empowering women economically,” she stated.
In her detailed address, Mrs. Abiodun highlighted the widespread impact of the RHI, noting its success in areas like agricultural support, financial grants, educational scholarships, and disaster relief. “The Agricultural Support Program has been particularly successful, providing women across different local governments with farmland, seedlings, and farming resources… The program has demonstrated measurable impact, reaching over 100,000 women and families nationwide,” she said. She emphasised that the initiative’s alignment with Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 5, and 8 (No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Gender Equality, and Decent Work & Economic Growth) is a key to its success. “As a nation, we have begun to see the results,” she mentioned, adding that the beneficiaries will contribute to the community and Nigeria. She promised that more would be done for the women.
In their goodwill messages, the Commissioner for Special Duty, Hon. Mrs. Funmi Afuwape, and the APC State Woman Leader, Mrs. Aminat Adigun, admonished the beneficiaries not to sell the materials but to utilise them to create opportunities for themselves and grow their trades.
Adding her voice, the Commissioner for Women affairs and social development, Hon. Adijat Adeleye Omoniyi, said, “This bold initiative will make them economically viable, independent and make them fulfil their potential as women. For this, we are thankful. We want to assure you that with this empowerment, poverty is a thing of the past for these 500 women.”
Mrs. Abiodun expressed gratitude to Senator Oluremi Tinubu for the gesture and for remembering the people of Ogun State, urging the beneficiaries to make good use of the materials.
Some of the beneficiaries, who expressed their appreciation, said the empowerment is unprecedented, noting that women at the grassroots are now directly benefiting from national opportunities in ways never seen before.
A special feature of the event was a song rendered in honour of the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, described as the “father of the state.” The appreciation was further heightened when Mrs. Abiodun announced that the governor had provided transportation assistance for all beneficiaries. The announcement was met with great jubilation, prompting the women to sing another special praise song for the governor.
The Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Hon. Adenike Orelope-Adefulire, was represented at the event by Mrs. Taiwo Belo.
Other dignitaries in attendance included the Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development goals, Hon. Adenike Orelope Adefulore, who was represented by Mrs. Taiwo Belo. Also present were the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adijat Adeleye Omoniyi; the Commissioner for Special Duty, Hon. Funmi Afuwape; the wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Derin Talabi; the wife of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mrs. Taiwo; the wife of the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Dr. Mrs. Olayinka Elemide; and the APC Women Leader, Mrs. Aminat Adigun. The wife of the Olowu of Owu, Olori Aminat Oba Saka Matemilola, was also in attendance.
