Abuja: The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, with support from the Tony Elumelu Foundation, has unveiled a N25 million Recapitalisation Grant for 500 women in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The RHI Coordinator in FCT, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, announced the initiative at an event in Abuja, stating that the grant would be distributed under the RHI/Tony Elumelu Foundation Women Economic Empowerment Programme. According to News Agency of Nigeria, Benjamins-Laniyi, who is also the pioneer Mandate Secretary of the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, explained that 500 women in the FCT would benefit from the grant. She praised the Tony Elumelu Foundation for donating one billion Naira to the initiative, which aims to support 18,500 women across the country, with 500 women from each of the 36 states and the FCT receiving N50,000 each to bolster their businesses. Benjamins-Laniyi highlighted the distribution of N50,000 each to some of the preselected 500 beneficiaries in the FCT, tota ling N25 million. She emphasized the importance of collaboration and generosity in uplifting women entrepreneurs and expressed hope that this initiative would inspire others to join in supporting women across the nation. The program is designed to empower women traders and small-scale business owners in the FCT and throughout the country. Benjamins-Laniyi clarified that the assistance provided is a grant, not a loan, aimed at helping women recapitalize and expand their existing businesses. She stressed that empowering women ultimately strengthens households, communities, and the nation as a whole. The commitment of the FCT Administration, led by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Minister of State Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, to the success of the RHI programs in the FCT was reiterated by Benjamins-Laniyi. Hajia Salamatu Jubril, FCT Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), commended the First Lady and Benjamins-Laniyi for their dedication to women's economic empowerment. Similarly, Hajia Hadiza Umar, Leader of the National Council for Women's Societies FCT Chapter, praised Benjamins-Laniyi's efforts to reach out to widows, youths, and the less-privileged across the six area councils of the FCT. One of the beneficiaries, Ms. Angela Elube, expressed gratitude for the support, noting that the grant would significantly aid in boosting their small businesses.
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