1,000 women in Anambra State have received business grants to support or grow their small-scale ventures under the Renewed Hope Initiative, in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
The Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme, which targets 500 women in each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, was officially launched in Anambra on Wednesday at The Light House, Awka.
Mrs. Nonye Soludo, wife of the Anambra State Governor, represented the First Lady at the event and supervised the disbursement. Speaking during the launch, she described the initiative as a means to boost financial independence and support business growth among women.
“It is not a loan; it is a renewed seed that enables you to invest in your business to make it more sustainable. I thank the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which donated N1bn for 500 women in each of the 36 states of the country,” she said while delivering Senator Tinubu’s message.
Mrs. Soludo also announced an extension of the empowerment within Anambra,
“To support our First Lady, I am also presenting N50,000 each for an additional 500 women, thereby bringing the total number of women to 1,000.”
She encouraged the beneficiaries to view the grant as a stepping stone to meaningful entrepreneurship,
“Starting a business is about good management and skills. In business, seed capital is key. See this grant you have received as a seed that can turn into millions if well invested.”
Also speaking at the event, State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Ify Obinabo, cautioned the women against misusing the funds.
“This money is not to go and buy ‘aso ebi’, it is a seed money that should be invested to boost your businesses and whatever craft you are doing.”
Obinabo added that the First Lady had shown consistent support to women across the country,
“This is not the first time we are experiencing this show of love from Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, knowing full well that with this empowerment, different women are sure of three square meals.”
The program, which is fully grant-based, aims to support women-led businesses at the micro and small levels by providing startup or recapitalisation funding, enhancing economic participation, and promoting grassroots development.
