Renewed Hope Initiative: Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun Empower 500 Ogun Businesswomen

Abeokuta —The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), spearheaded by Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has partnered with the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), led by Hon. Adenike Orelope Adefulore, to empower 500 businesswomen in Ogun State. The women received vital business tools at a ceremony held at the Presidential Lodge, GRA Ibara, on Saturday, August 23, 2025. The tools distributed included deep freezers, gas cookers with ovens, generators, and grain grinding machines, as part of a national initiative targeting 18,500 women across all six geopolitical zones.

In her address, Senator Oluremi Tinubu emphasised the critical role of women in national development. Represented by the Wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, who also serves as the RHI’s state coordinator, she stated, “This programme acknowledges the vital role women play in nation-building and aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, which emphasizes inclusivity, economic growth, and sustainable development for all Nigerians, with a particular focus on empowering women economically.”

Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, in her speech, provided a detailed summary of the RHI’s impact and achievements, particularly in Ogun State. She highlighted the success of the Agricultural Support Program, which has provided women with farmland, seedlings, and farming resources, transforming them into significant contributors to household food security and the broader agricultural value chain.

She also pointed to the financial empowerment component, where the RHI has provided grants and soft cash interventions to support women in small and medium-scale businesses, reaching over 100,000 women and families nationwide.

Educational support through scholarships for underprivileged students and disaster relief efforts in locations like Jos, Mina, and Benue State were also mentioned as key achievements. Mrs. Abiodun stressed that the initiative aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including poverty reduction, hunger elimination, gender equality, and economic growth. “As a nation, we have begun to see the results,” she said, adding that the empowered women will contribute significantly to the community and Nigeria. She concluded by promising to do more for the women of the state.

In their goodwill messages, Hon. Mrs. Funmi Afuwape, Commissioner for Special Duty, and the APC State Woman Leader, Mrs. Aminat Adigun, asked the beneficiaries from all 20 local governments of Ogun State not to sell the materials but to use them to create opportunities for themselves.

Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun thanked Senator Oluremi Tinubu for remembering the people of Ogun State and urged them to make good use of the materials.

Adding her voice, the Commissioner for Special Duty, Hon. Adijat Adeleye Omoniyi, said, “This bold initiative will make them economically viable, independent and make them fulfil their potential as women. For this, we are thankful. We want to assure you that with this empowerment, poverty is a thing of the past for these 500 women.”

The beneficiaries rendered a special song for the governor, Dapo Abiodun, who also assisted them with transportation. Immediately after the wife of the governor announced the money for transportation, all the beneficiaries rejoiced.

The event was attended by notable figures, including the Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development goals, Hon. Adenike Orelope Adefulore, who was represented by Mrs. Taiwo Belo. Also present were the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adijat Adeleye Omoniyi; the Commissioner for Special Duty, Hon. Funmi Afuwape; the wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Derin Talabi; the wife of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mrs. Taiwo; the wife of the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Dr. Mrs. Olayinka Elemide; and the APC Women Leader, Mrs. Aminat Adigun. The wife of the Olowu of Owu, Olori Aminat Oba Saka Matemilola, was also in attendance.