From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday, distributed an N50 million economic empowerment grant to 1,000 women petty traders in Kaduna State.
The First Lady said the gesture was part of the N1.8 billion grant set aside for 37,000 women petty traders across the 36 states of the federation and FCT, under the Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Empowerment Programme.
Represented at the event by the wife of the Deputy Senate President, Hajia Laila Jibrin Barau, the First Lady said that small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), especially the petty traders, who form the backbone of our local economies, were facing challenges, hence the support.
According to him, “Today, through the Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Empowerment Programme, we are providing 1,000 pre-selected women petty traders per state with a grant of N50,000 each to recapitalize and grow their businesses.
“A total of One Billion, Eight Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N1,850,0000,000.00) will be disbursed to 37,000 women petty traders across the nation.
“The grants provided today are to assist our women petty traders in overcoming some of their business challenges, expanding their businesses, creating more jobs, and contributing more robustly to our economy.
“Economic empowerment remains a core objective of the Renewed Hope Initiative and we have consistently delivered on this promise for both women and youth across the six (6) geopolitical zones to support the economic reforms of the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“We recognize that empowering women economically is not just a moral imperative but a strategic one. When women thrive, their families thrive, and by extension, our communities and nation prosper.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our RHI State Coordinators and First Ladies of States and everyone involved in making this program a reality, particularly their efforts in identifying the traders. This is commendable.
“To the 1000 women petty traders who are the beneficiaries of this program, I say, “You are the heart of our local economies, the foundation of our communities, and the unsung heroes of our nation.” You have shown incredible resilience in overcoming countless challenges to build your businesses.
“Today, we celebrate your hard work and determination. Let us all continue to work together to build a Nigeria where every woman has the opportunity to succeed, where every small business can grow and contribute to our nation’s prosperity,” she said.
In his remarks at the event, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Sani Liman Kila, said the main impediment to women’s progress in business and other endeavors remains a lack of “start-up capital” or funds for expansion.
He now said that the Grants given by the First Lady to the 1,000 Women Petty Traders in Kaduna State were a step in the right direction, which would have a trickle-down effect.
According to the Governor, “Women are hardworking, enterprising, innovative and resilient. They are the backbone of many families. They play a critical role in Agriculture. Women are key players in Nano, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. With very little, a woman can turn a business around.”
