Remi Tinubu gifts PWDs N100,000 each for small businesses

Ini Billie, Uyo

Pet project of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) has gifted 100 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) each with N100,000 for their small businesses in Akwa Ibom State.

The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) also launched the Women Agricultural Support Programme designed to empower female farmers in the South-South geopolitical zone.

The programme will also empower 20 women each from the six states in the south-south region with N500,000.

Speaking during the launch of the programme in Uyo, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who was represented by wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, explained that 75 percent of the beneficiaries of the scheme are young females who are mainly into animal husbandry, poultry and fish farming.

“Today, we are supporting twenty women farmers per State in the South South zone with the sum of five hundred thousand maira each.

“A draft of ten million naira per State for the South South zone will be handed over to the First Ladies of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers States who are also RHI State Coordinators for onward disbursement to all beneficiaries in their respective states.

“These farmers are those in the agrarian sector, animal husbandry, poultry and fish farming. In a short while, the Renewed Hope Initiative will be collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to empower potential farmers.

“In this phase, 75 per cent of the beneficiaries will be young female farmers while 25 per cent will be for our young male farmers,” she stated.

While speaking, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno applauded Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her humanitarian disposition where vulnerable groups across the nation are beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope Initiative.

Eno stated that the State Government has taken steps to adopt the programmes in the state through its ARISE Initiative for the Elderly, ARISE free voucher food programme from the Bulk purchasing Agency, among others.

“Every month, elderly persons from the three hundred and sixty-nine wards in the state especially the vulnerable ones from each local government area in every ward are given fifty thousand naira each to take care of their needs especially food and medicine.

“We are gathered here again to launch this great initiative for the south-south region.  As our nation grapples with challenging economic environment leading to the skyrocketing of prices of food, this programme will help support our farming population and ensure that we get back to the farm,” he stated.

In her welcome address, Wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, and State Coordinator, Renewed Hope Initiative, said women in agriculture often face numerous challenges including limited access to resources, land and education.

Eno explained that empowering women will help unlock their full potentials, increase food security and boost economic growth in rural communities.

She thanked Senator Oluremi Tinubu for the empowerment of PWDs in the state, adding that individuals with disabilities make valuable contributions in business and other fields, as such, the need to create inclusive opportunities for them to participate fully in economic activities, receive proper trainings and access support to overcome barriers.

On her part, South-South Zonal Chairman, RHI and First Lady of Bayelsa state, Dr Gloria Diri applauded Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her deliberate efforts in changing the narratives in the six geo-political zones through various empowerment programmes for women, youths, children and the elderly.

During who said the programme cuts across political lines and affiliations, reiterate their resolve to replicate programmes that will impact positively on the humanity.