From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Federal Government under its Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Agenda, has started distributing sustainable empowerment equipment to 3,500 women across North central zone including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

  The distribution was carried out through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President (OSSAP) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in collaboration with the office of the  First Lady, Sen.

Oluremi Tinubu.

The First Lady, who flagged off the distribution  in Lokoja, at the weekend, said 500 women would benefit from each state in the North Central zone namely Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, and the FCT.

Mrs Tinubu, who was represented by the wife of Kogi state Governor, Hajia Sefinat Usman Ododo, said the empowerment items would cover 18,500 women across the six geopolitical zones, for poverty alleviation and increased entrepreneurship activities.

She commended the SSA to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire and her team for the gesture towards women’s empowerment in achieving all the SDGs in the country.

“This empowerment will benefit 18,500 women across the country’s six geopolitical zones.

“The North Central zone is the first to benefit from this program, and today, the women will be given items such as Deep-chest freezers, Maxi Gas cookers with Ovens, Generators, and Industrial Grinding Machines to start or grow their existing businesses.

“These items will be distributed by the State First Ladies/RHI State Coordinators in the North central zone. By the grace of God, the South-South Zone will be the next beneficiary,” she said.

The first lady stressed that the initiative recognised the critical role women played in nation-building.

This, she said, aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which prioritises inclusivity, economic growth, and sustainable development for all Nigerians, particularly women’s economic empowerment.

She, therefore, advised the beneficiaries to use the resources judiciously to start or grow their businesses.
“The items being distributed today are to equip our women with the necessary tools and resources they need to build successful businesses and to contribute to the prosperity of our great nation” she added.

“To the beneficiaries, let these items serve as a foundation for creating better life for yourselves and your families. I hope and pray that what you receive today will prosper in your hands” she also said.

Earlier, the SSA to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said the initiative was a bold step towards empowering Nigerian women across the 36 states and the FCT.

Orelope-Adefulire, who was represented by Special Adviser to Kogi Governor on SDGs, Mr Usman Musa, appreciated the first lady for her visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to improving the lives of women across Nigeria.

Orelope-Adefulire stressed that the first lady’s RHI program, has continued to serve as a beacon of empowerment and economic transformation, aligning seamlessly with our national development priorities and the SDGs.

“Today’s programme is not just about distributing empowerment items; it is about unlocking potential, fostering economic independence and creating opportunities for women to thrive.

“By equipping 500 women per state and the FCT with tools such as gas cookers, generators, deep freezers and grinding machines, we are strengthening their capacity to build sustainable livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to inclusive national development,” she said.

She noted that the OSSAP-SDGs has, over the years, strengthened efforts at empowering women and children including the construction and equipping of 66 Skills Acquisition Centres and Transit Homes for women and girls across the country.

She added: “These were supported with over 4, 800 computers for ICT training.

“This investment reflects our firm belief that when a woman is empowered, a home is built, a community is strengthened, and a nation prospers.

“Indeed, recent evidence has shown that women entrepreneurs contribute significantly to Nigerian economic development through employment generation, poverty eradication and basic family support.

“Thus, I encourage our beneficiaries today to make the most of this opportunity.

“Let these empowerment tools towans serve as stepping stones towards financial independence, business development and sustainable livelihood”.

Orelope-Adefulire reaffirmed the President’s commitment to the achievement of the SDGS in Nigeria.

Some of the beneficiaries; Mrs Khadijat Abdullahi from Okehi; Mrs Hannah Mohammed from Ibaji; and Dorcas Olayemi from Kabba-Bunu LGA, jointly appreciated the federal government for the gesture.