By joshua 
Tinubu’s wife empowers 500 women in Ebonyi
By Agbo Amuche, Abakaliki
The wife of the President Federal Republic of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu through her renewed hope intiative in collaboration with Tony Elumelu foundation have empowered over five hundred Ebonyi women with rice and cash to improve their means of livelihood.
The event held on wednesday at women development centre in Abakaliki, the State capital.
The Nigeria first lady represented by the wife of Ebonyi State Governor Chief (Mrs) Mary Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru said the economic empowerment of women remains a strong hold to building inclusivity and resilient nation, adding that the partnership with Tony Elumelu foundation strengthened the vision of ensuring that women as the bedrock of society are given the necessary resources, opportunities and encouragement to flourish.
According to Senator Oluremi “Today, we are gathered not just to celebrate another empowerment initiative, but to affirm our unwavering commitment to the economic liberation of Nigerian women. This programme, which provides small business recapitalization grants to 500 women across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, is a clear testimony that when women rise, families thrive, communities prosper, and nations are transformed”.
She recounted the challenges many women faced daily including limited access to finance, lack of business capital, the struggle to balance family responsibilities with economic aspirations, the weight of cultural and societal barriers, noting that despite the obstacles, Nigerian women have continued to show remarkable resilience, courage, and innovation.
“Women are the market leaders, farmers, artisans, professionals, and entrepreneurs who, with the right support, can build enterprises that will sustain families and transform entire communities’
“This intervention, small business recapitalization grants is more than financial support; it is an investment in hope, dignity, and the future of our nation. It is about giving women the wings to fly, to dream bigger, and to take charge of their destinies”.
The first lady appreciated the Governor of Ebonyi State Chief Francis Nwifuru for aligning perfectly with her shared agenda of building a stronger families, reduce poverty and achieving inclusive growth across communities by supporting her with an extra 500 Ebonyi women making it a total of 1000 women in the State.
Senator Tinubu urged the beneficiaries to embrace the opportunity with discipline, creativity and commitment by sustaining and expanding their businesses as well as create jobs for others, while expressing her profound gratitude to the Tony Elumelu Foundation for its partnership .
“This is how true change is built, through collaboration, through shared vision, and through the recognition that empowering women is empowering humanity.
I also want to thank the governor of the state for his continue support to our women”.
The State commissioner for women affsirs Barr. Felicia Nwamkpuma who spoke on behalf of Mrs Nwifuru, hailed persist support of Senator Oluremi Tinubu to Ebonyi women, saying that Mrs Nwifuru has been stepping down her renewed hope initiative programmes to the grassroots, and assured the first lady of the unflinching support of Ebonyi women at all times.
In their separate good will messages, the wife of the State Attorney general Barr. Peace Odoh, wife of ALGON chairman Chief Mrs Jessica Uburu, chairman house committee on women affairs Hon. Chinyere Nwogbaga, wife of the speaker of Ebonyi State house of Assembly Mrs. Florence Odunwa, wife of Ebonyi chief Judge Magistrate Ngele among others extolled Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her numerous supports aimed at improving the lives of Ebonyi women through her renewed hope intiative.
In an interview, a beneficiary of the programme Mrs Nwoba Easter from Ndiegu Echara ward two in Ikwo LGA thanked Senator Tinubu for the empowerment and prayed God to reward her in millionfold.