Following the efforts to drive economic growth in Nigeria, one thousand women petty traders in Abia State have received financial grants through the Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Empowerment Programme of Wife of the President, to help them grow their businesses.
In her address during the official distribution and flag-off of the program on Thursday August 21st, 2024 at the Bouquet Hall of Government House Umuahia, Wife of the President Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu said the empowerment which was organized simultaneously across the Country including the Federal Capital Territory, was the core objective of the Renewed Hope Initiative of President Bola Tinubu.
Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, said the gesture was part of her commitment to drive economic growth towards a better life for families.
Mrs Tinubu represented by the Wife of the Chief of Staff to the President, Salamatu Gbajabiamila listed the challenges faced by Small and Medium Enterprises as the backbone of Nigeria local economies, and saluted the courage and resilience of women to put food on the table for their families.
The President’s Wife revealed that the 1,000 pre-selected women petty traders per State, will receive N50,000 each to support and grow their businesses.
According to her, “the grants provided are intended to assist our women overcome business challenges, expand their enterprises, create jobs, and contribute more robustly to the national economy,”.
Speaking at the event, Wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti stated that the financial aid will help the women not only to sustain their families but also to contribute meaningfully to the economic growth of their communities.
Mrs Otti encouraged the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity with determination and purpose and added that the days of holding back what is meant for the people are gone, vowing to ensure that all federal support reaches every community.
“The government of Dr Alex Otti is determined to ensure that all federal support reaches every community, right down to the grassroots level. No one will be left out, and what is meant for the people will reach the people. This is the Abia we are building together”.
In his goodwill message, Governor Alex Otti, through his Deputy, Ikechukwu Emetu described women petty traders as the unsung heroes of our markets driving commerce and support families with their entrepreneurial spirits
Otti while appreciating the wife of the president, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu for making the grants available, advised the beneficiaries to utilize the resources to improve their businesses and inspire others through their success.
National Watch reports that highpoint of the event was the symbolic presentation of the N50 million to the beneficiaries, while some beneficiaries including Mrs Victoria Akujuobi, Susan, and Madam Love Kanu, expressed their joy for benefing from the grant.
