The wife of Nigeria’s President, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, has provided cash grants of fifty thousand Naira each to 1000 petty traders in every state of the federation to boost their businesses and empower them to further contribute to the local economy.
Speaking in Ado Ekiti at an occasion organized for the distribution of the cash grants to the selected beneficiaries in Ekiti State, who were drawn from various artisan groups, market women and association,
the First Lady stated that Small and Medium Enterprises, especially women petty traders form the backbone of Nigeria’s local economy.
Mrs Tinubu, who was represented by the wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, noted that the project was funded through Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Empowerment Programme to re-capitalize and grow petty traders businesses.
She explained that the Initiative was not a financial aid but an expression of commitment to the upliftment of lives, especially in these challenging times.
The Nigeria’s First Lady therefore urged each beneficiary to use the support wisely by investing in their businesses or enhancing skills that would further strengthen their capacity towards a better future for themselves and their families.
“This program is a reminder that our administration is deeply committed to the welfare of every citizen. We will continue to work tirelessly to create more opportunities, alleviate poverty and support the most vulnerable among us,” the first lady explained.
In his remark, the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji applauded the initiative for boosting local economy.
Governor Oyebanji, who was represented by his Special Adviser, Office of Transformation, Strategy and Delivery, Dr John Ekundayo, therefore sought the continuous support of the people of Ekiti State for President Tinubu led administration .
In their respective messages of Goodwill, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Peju Babafemi, Council Chairpersons and other top government functionaries, urged the beneficiaries to always re-invest, innovate and forward-looking so that the purpose of the grants would not be defeated.
Some of the beneficiaries appreciated the First Lady’s gesture and commended the efforts of both federal and Ekiti state governments at re-vitalisation of small scale businesses.
