… As Lady Helen Obareki Applauds First Lady’s Bipartisan Approach To Empowerment
UYO
A total of 500 women from the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom, Saturday, smiled home with various empowerment items such as deep freezers, generating sets, gas cooker with oven, and a set of grinding machines, donated by the wife of the Nigeria’s President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, towards enhancing their businesses.
At the empowerment programme which took place at the prestigious Ibom Hall, Uyo, Tinubu said the programme, which was organised through her platform, Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), was in partnership with Office of Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in recognition of the vital role women play in nation building.
Represented by wife of the Senate President, Dr. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, the President’s wife said the empowerment programme, which targets 18,500 women across the 6 geopolitical zones of the country, aims to equip women with necessary tools to contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.
“This programme acknowledges the vital role women play in nation building and also aligns with the Renewed Hope agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which emphasises inclusivity, economic growth and sustainable development for all Nigerians with a particular focus on empowering women economically.
“The items distributed here today aims to equip our women with the necessary tools and resources they need to build successful businesses and to contribute to the prosperity of our great nation,” she noted.
While disclosing that the programme held simultaneously in other States of the Niger Delta geopolitical zone, except Rivers State which is slated for May 2, 2025, the President’s wife urged the beneficiaries to use the items judiciously to grow their individual businesses.
In her remarks, the coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, commended the country’s First Lady for her bipartisan approach in empowering rural women in States across the nation.
Lady Eno described the empowerment event as a milestone in the journey towards promoting women’s empowerment and supporting their economic independence, hinting that the programme would create a more equitable and just society where women would reach their full potentials.
“These empowerment items – deep freezers, grinding machines, generating sets, gas cookers etc – represent the commitment of our mother, the nation’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to strengthen businesses and improve the livelihood of our rural women,” she remarked.
The Akwa Ibom First Lady designate urged the beneficiaries selected across party lines to make judicious use of the items received as they are the backbone of their families and the State at large.
“I thank our dear mother for choosing Akwa Ibom State to be the focal point in the South South region of the country. I advise that you the beneficiaries use these items to improve your economic status and better your livelihood,” Lady Obareki said.
The governor of Akwa Ibom, Pastor Umo Eno, in his remarks at the event, commended the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her commitment to supporting those in need, particularly women across the nation.
Represented by the State commissioner for humanitarian affairs, Lady Emem Ibanga, the governor acknowledged Senator Tinubu’s choice of Akwa Ibom as a focal point for her commendable interventions in the South-South region, adding that the initiative aligns perfectly with his administration’s ARISE Agenda, which emphasises social welfare, economic empowerment and inclusive growth.
Governor Eno expressed gratitude to the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for organising the empowerment programme in Uyo, noting that the initiative exemplifies genuine compassion and service to humanity, and that Akwa Ibom was proud to partner in the journey of hope, renewal, and shared prosperity.
The governor congratulated the beneficiaries and encouraged them to view the empowerment they received as a seed as well as urged them to nurture it wisely, cultivate it diligently and allow it to flourish into prosperity, not only for themselves but also for their families, communities and Akwa Ibom.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Princess Adegoke Orelope-Adefulire, in her welcome address, stated that women’s economic empowerment was a key driver to sustainable development, noting that the RHI women empowerment programme aligns with the national development priorities of Nigeria and the SDGs, aimed at unlocking the potentials for women and creating opportunities for them to thrive.
Orelope-Adefulire highlighted that 500 women have been selected from each State across the South-South zone and would be empowered with items including, gas cookers, generators, deep freezers and grinding machines to strengthen their capacity, build sustainable livelihood, transform the economy and contribute to national development.
Goodwill messages were received from the chairman, House of Representatives Committee on SDGs, Honourable Nazifi Sani and the commissioner for women affairs and social welfare, Mrs. Inibehe Silas, who praised the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her commitment to the vision of the SDGs.
Commending her efforts towards the eradication of hunger and poverty, reduced gender inequalities, promotion of decent work and economic growth, they stated that her dedication to empower women would help them get out of poverty, contribute positively to the growth and development of their families and the nation as a whole.
Highpoint of the event was a symbolic presentation of empowerment items to beneficiaries. The audience was further captivated by a vibrant ‘Ebre dance’ performance by the State Council for Arts and Culture troupe.
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