First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on Tuesday announced a donation of N1 billion to the Niger State government to assist victims of natural disasters and banditry attacks.

Mrs Tinubu announced the donation at the inauguration of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Women Empowerment Programme in Minna.

The First Lady said the donation would be directed towards housing support and essential supplies to help displaced families get back on their feet, earn a living, and have a better life.

She said the donation was in line with the objective of the Renewed Hope Initiative, as outlined in its motto, “Towards a Better Life for Families”.

Speaking on the RHI Women Empowerment Programme, Mrs Tinubu said that 500 women from the state would receive N25 million empowerment grants, with each receiving N50,000.

She said the empowerment programme, which targets 18,500 women nationwide, has covered 15 states.

According to Mrs Tinubu, the empowerment programme was done by the RHI in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation.

She reiterated the RHI’s commitment to uplifting women, in line with the belief that the strength of a nation lies in opportunities for women and children.

“I am delighted to be here to inaugurate the Women Economic Empowerment Programme of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) in conjunction with the Tony Elumelu Foundation in Minna.

“Let me emphasise that this is not a loan. It is a grant and a seed of renewed hope to help you recapitalise your existing businesses.

“I thank the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which donated N1 billion to the RHI to directly support 18,500 women across the nation,” she said.

Mrs Tinubu added, “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.

“Disbursement of empowerment funds to beneficiaries in other states and the FCT will be held shortly after.”

In his remarks, Governor Mohammed Bago applauded the First Lady for her kind gesture, acknowledging that she had donated to his people in several ways in the past.

He recalled that she visited and touched the lives of the Niger people during a bomb explosion in a mine site and donated N100 million.

The governor said the love shown by the First Lady is a reflection of the progressive leadership of her husband, President Bola Tinubu.

(NAN)