Hajiya Fatima Bago, the wife of the Niger State Governor and leader of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), gave out N25 million to 500 women in the state to help them start or grow their businesses.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said that Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, started this program on Tuesday. It is part of her project called Renewed Hope Initiative, working together with the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
The program aims to help 18,500 women business owners across Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Each woman receives N50,000 to help restart or improve their businesses.
Hajiya Fatima Bago said this money is part of the program that the First Lady began in Niger. During the launch, the First Lady gave N50,000 to 50 women as a symbolic gift.
She told the women who got the money to use it carefully. She also encouraged women without businesses to start one.“This money is a trust given to you. Use it well, grow it, and let it change your life and encourage others,” she said.
She repeated that the goal of the money is to help women become stronger and live better lives.The governor’s wife praised the teamwork between RHI and the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
She said this shows how private companies and national programs can work together to make a big difference.
She also thanked her husband, Governor Umaru Bago, for supporting programs that help women and children. She said his support is very important.
Before this, Mrs. Mary Noel-Berje, a special adviser to the Niger Governor on Women and Affirmative Action, told the women to make the First Lady and the governor’s wife proud by making their businesses grow.
“Use the money you got today well. Businesses can start small and become big. You can use this money to support yourself,” she said.
Mrs. Afiniki Dauda, Deputy Speaker of the Niger House of Assembly, also promised to check on the women, especially those in zone B, to make sure they use the money wisely.
The women who got the money, including Alheri Yafimugunta and Aisha Yawa, thanked the First Lady and the governor’s wife for helping them. They promised to use the money to improve their businesses.
