The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, says economic empowerment of women in the country will achieve the Sustainable Development Goals( SDGs) targets.
Mrs Tinubu stated this on Saturday at the distribution of deep freezers, grinding machines and gas cookers to 500 women in Akure.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of Ondo State Governor, Mrs Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, said that the beneficiaries were drawn from the 18 local government areas.
She explained that the distributed items were to empower the beneficiaries with the necessary tools and the resources they needed.
According to her, the tools will enable them to build successful business and be independent.
She said that the items would also help the beneficiaries to grow their existing business in recognising their crucial roles in the nation building.
Mrs Tinubu explained that the empowerment was made possible through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).
According to her, the programme is line with the President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
She added that the initiative prioritised inclusiveness in the country’s economic growth and sustainable development for all Nigerians particularly women empowerment.
The First Lady enjoined the beneficiaries to use the economic tools judiciously.
“Don’t sell these tools. We will do a follow up on how they are being used.
“Let these items serve as a foundation for creating wealth for yourselves and your families. I hope what you received today will prosper in your hands,” she said.
Mrs Tinubu appreciated Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his wife for making programmes of the RHI successful in the state.
In her remarks, the state Commissioner for Women and Social Development, Dr Seun Osamaye, appreciated the First Lady for bringing RHI to women in the state.
Osamaye added that the RHI different programmes had benefited women in the state.
“We have been benefiting the Renewed Hope Initiative, and we are benefiting today in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Goals. We are grateful to the First Lady and to the SDGs.
“We know that this bold initiative will enhance our women to be economically independent and viable, and most importantly strengthen them to fulfil their potentials as women of Ondo State.
“We want to assure you that with this economic empowerment, poverty will be reduced. This will remove the women from begging and make them symbol of independence and value,” she said.
Earlier, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the SSA on SDGs to the President, said that the initiative was to empower women to be self sufficient.
Orelope-Adefulire, who appreciated the unwavering dedication of the First Lady to women development, said that the items would enhance national development.
She promised that more of such empowerment would still come to the state, asking the beneficiaries to encourage the First Lady and the Office of the SDGs by making good use of the distributed items.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the initiative is being implemented in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
