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From Olanrewaju Lawal Birnin Kebbi
The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has given N50 million to 1,000 petty traders in Kebbi State.
Tinubu, who gave the money to the women traders in Birnin Kebbi, under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) economic empowerment programme recapitalization grants in Kebbi State, said each of the traders would gets N50,000 to improve their trading.
While given the money to the beneficiaries, Tinubu, who was represented by Kebbi State governor’s wife, Zainab Idris, represented also by the deputy governor’s wife, Maryam Abubakar, explained that the grants, which are distributing across the country simultaneously, should be utilised judiciously.
According to her, the grant is design to drive economy growth towards a better life for the families.
“This event is taken place simultaneously across the 36 states of the federation, including Federal Capital Territory. We are all aware of the challenges faced by small and medium enterprises, especially the petty traders who formed the back bone of our local economy.
“These challenges, however, have not deter the women traders. I salute you and your courage, and the resilient that make you going on to put food on the table for your families. Today too, the Renewed Hope Initiative Economy Empowerment Programme, we are providing grant for 1,000 selected women who are petty traders per state with N50,000 each to recapitalise and grow their businesses. A total of N1.850 billion will be disburse to 37,000 women petty traders across the nation.
“The grant provided today is to assist these women to overcome some of their businesses challenges, expand their businesses, creating more jobs and contributing more robust to the future economy.
“Economy empowerment remains a core objectives of our Renewed Hope Initiative and we have consistently delivered on the promises both on women and youths across the six geopolitical zones of our country to support the economy reforms of the administration of President Bola Tinubu…”
“We recognises that empowering women economically is not just morally imperative but a strategic one. When women strives, economy strives and by extension, our communities and nation prospers,” she said.
The first lady commended the state coordinators who are first ladies of each state and said their support, including other stakeholders that have made the programme a successful one.
“To the 1,000 petty traders, who are the beneficiaries of this programme, I say you are the heart of the our economy, the foundation of our communities, an unsung heroines of our nation.
“You have shown incredible resilient in overcoming countess challenges to build your businesses. Today, we celebrate your hardworking and determination. Let us all continue to work together to build a Nigeria where every woman would have an opportunity to succeeded, where every small business can grow and contribute to the nation’s prosperity,” she said
In his remark, Kebbi State Commissioner for Information and Cultures, Yakubu Ahmed, commended the first lady for the grants and urged the beneficiaries to utilise the grant judiciously.
Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Muhammad Jarkuka, expressed the readiness of the state to discharge humanitarian services to the people at anytime and commended the first lady for the initiative.
