The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) of the Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) and the support of the Rivers State Government have disbursed N50,000 cash grant to empower 1000 women in Rivers State.
While the RHI in collaboration with the TEF gave N50,000 each to 500 women; the state government led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his wife Lady Valerie Fubara backed the Initiative by giving the same amount to additional 500 women.
Mrs. Tinubu, who was represented at the Women Economic Empowerment Programme by the wife of Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, on Thursday, October 9, 2025 in Government House, Port Harcourt, said the programme is designed to support the entrepreneurial spirit of women traders and small scale business owners.
She commended such women for waking up everyday with the determination to provide for their families, educate their children and uplift their communities.
“Let me emphasize that this is not a loan, it is a grant and a seed of renewed hope to help you recapitalise existing businesses. It is my strong belief that when you empower a woman you empower a household, a community and indeed a nation”, Mrs. Tinubu said.
She expressed appreciation to the Tony Elumelu Foundation for donating N1billion to the renewed hope initiative to directly support 18,500 women across the nation.
“500 women from each of the 36 states and the FCT will be receiving N50,000 each to strengthen and recapitalise their existing small businesses”, she said as she presented the sum of money to some of the preselected 500 beneficiaries at the event.
She thanked the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his wife, Lady Valerie Fubara, for their support in executing all the programmes of the Renewed Hope Initiative and called on others to emulate the generous spirit of Tony Elumelu.
The wife of the Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara on her part noted that the programme is intended to boost the economic capacity of women in handling their immediate challenges.
She said the RHI had over the last two years stood in the gap by providing agricultural, economic and educational support for families.
“The Renewed Hope Initiative equally embarked on financial support for women and the elderly. These and many more are the major thrust of the Renewed Hope Initiative agenda. In doing this we have enjoyed sincere partnership”, Lady Fubara said.
Explaining further, she said: “At this programme today all 500 beneficiaries will be given N50,000 each courtesy of Tony Elumelu Foundation and RHI partnership. In deepening the gains of this partnership the Rivers State Government is also giving N50,000 to to yet another 500 batch making a total of 1000 women who will be receiving this grant.
“This collaboration has come to represent a commitment to improve the economic capacity of women in the State and I urge other well spirited organization, corporate entities and business interests to emulate this noble gesture by partnering RHI.
“His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, believes that empowerment should be value targeted and has therefore asked me to congratulate beneficiaries of this empowerment programme”.
While commending the Tony Elumelu Foundation and the National Office of the Renewed Hope Initiative for the empowerment, Lady Valerie urged the recipients to utilize the proceeds from the partnership to support beneficial ventures that would improve the economy and their families.
In a goodwill message, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Professor Mrs. Ngozi Odu applauded the collaborative efforts of Nigeria First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu and the wife of Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara in putting smiles on the faces of Rivers women. He applauded Gov. Fubara for the initiative to support the economic development of women.
She enjoined the recipients of the economic empowerment to make adequate use of the fund to improve their businesses and make the required impact.
In her message, the Rivers State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Roselyne Apawari Uranta expressed delight for the programme and thanked the President of Nigeria and his wife for supporting women through economic empowerment.
Justice Mary Odili, (rtd) in her goodwill also extended her appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and his wife for the uncommon gesture towards women in Rivers State and praised Gov. Fubara for supporting women through empowerment.
