By Gloria Osemudiamhen
The Edo State Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo has appreciated the impact of the Renewed Hope Initiative empowerment programme in the State for distributing starter packs to establish women in business towards enabling them to contribute meaningfully to their family welfare and State’s development.
Sen. Okpebholo, represented by the Special Adviser on Media Projects, Mr. God’swill Inegbe, gave the remark at the New Festival Hall of the Government House in Benin City, where he described the initiative as aimed at unlocking the potentials of women, fostering economic independence, and creating sustainable opportunities for growth and prosperity.
In a keynote address, the wife of the President, Her Excellency, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, represented by the Coordinator, Office of the Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, stated that the empowerment items would boost the beneficiaries’ businesses in the State and revealed plans to expand the programme to all six geopolitical zones across the Country.
According to her, “The items being distributed today aim 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. I have been informed that a total of 18,500 women across the Country’s six geopolitical zones will benefit from this empowerment. The North Central zone received their items on February 21, 2025. Today, it’s the turn of the hardworking women of the South-South Zone. These women will be provided with items such as deep-chest freezers, maxi gas cookers with ovens, generators, and industrial grinding machines. These appliances will support them in starting or growing their existing businesses.”
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope Adefulire, represented by the Coordinate Surveyor, Ali Rano, commended the visionary leadership of Sen. Tinubu for supporting women empowerment initiatives. According to her, “We express our profound appreciation to her Excellency Sen. Oluremi Tinubu for her visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to improving the lives of women across Nigeria.
“The Renewed Hope Initiative under her able leadership and guidance continued to serve as a beacon of empowerment and economic transformation, aligning seamlessly with our National development priorities and the SDGs.” Reiterating her Office’s commitments to women’s economic empowerment initiatives which align with key SDGs, stated, “At the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals SDGs, we remain resilient.
“Our commitment to women economic empowerment as a key driver of sustainable development which the Initiative is directly aligning with SDG one – No Poverty; SDG five – Gender equality; SDG eight – Decent work and economic growth; SDG 10 – reducing inequality; and SDG Sixteen – cleans justice and strong institution; reflecting our unwavering commitment to ensuring that no woman is left behind in our collective journey towards peace and prosperity. Beyond these initiatives, over the years, we have strengthened efforts at empowering Women and children across the Country.”
One of the 120 beneficiaries, Omoebele Doris, expressed gratitude for the empowerment items and prayed for God’s blessings upon Key stakeholders. The beneficiaries were charged to utilize the empowerment efficiently to boost their businesses and elevate their families’ living standards.
In attendance were the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomole; the Managing Director, Edo State Specialist Hospital, Dr. Anthonia Njoku; the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Chief Bisi Idaomi, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Joy Irenose Ihensekhien, amongst others.
High point of the Programme was the distribution of the empowerment items to the beneficiaries, who were visibly elated and full of appreciation.
