The first lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Friday, empowered 500 women in Ekiti with N50,000 each under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Economic Empowerment Programme.

Mrs Tinubu was represented at the programme in Ado-Ekiti by the Ekiti governor’s wife, Olayemi Oyebanji.

The first lady explained that the Women Economic Empowerment programme, under Renewed Hope Initiative, was in conjunction with the Tony Elumelu Foundation.

She charged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the funds, emphasised that the gesture is not a loan but a grant, as well as a seed of renewed hope to recapitalise their existing businesses.

“I thank the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which donated N1 billion to the Renewed Hope Initiative, to directly support 18,500 women across the nation.

“Five hundred women from each of the 36 states and the FCT will be receiving N50,000 each to strengthen and capitalise their existing small businesses,” she added.

In her goodwill message, the state deputy governor, Monisade Afuye, noted that the gesture would go a long way in assisting the beneficiaries, most especially in view of the current economic situation.

The representative of Tony Elumelu Foundation, Moyosade Fakunle, told the gathering that the programme is a continuous exercise, as those who did not benefit now would have their own turn subsequently.

Some of the beneficiaries appreciated the gesture and urged the organisers to continue evolving programmes and policies to ameliorate the sufferings of the masses.

(NAN)