* Releases N50m grant to empower Kwara women’s businesses
The First Lady of Nigeria and initiator of Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has said that the acquisition of knowledge through Information Communication Technology (ICT) remains a significant tool for empowering communities, especially women in the country.
Senator Tinubu also stated that the Renewed Hope Initiative, under the RHI Economic Empowerment scope, has presented a grant of N50 million to the wife of Kwara State governor and RHI state coordinator to support another set of 1,000 women petty traders with the sum of N50,000 each to recapitalize their existing businesses.
Speaking Tuesday during the inauguration of an ultra modern NITDA/RHI Community ICT Centre at the Kwara State University of Education, Ilorin, the state capital, Tinubu said the acquisition of ICT knowledge would also enable the people of the community and women to break traditional barriers and access new opportunities.
The inauguration of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Community ICT Centre was in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) under its Social Investment Programme.
The inauguration of the project marked the first day of the three-day official visit of Senator Tinubu to the state to inaugurate other legacy projects of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration.
Other projects inaugurated by the First Lady included the Intensive Care Unit/Late Dr. Amuda Aluko ward located at the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital at Taiwo area, Ilorin and foundation laying of the Teaching Service Clinic, Ilorin.
She said: “As a result of this collaboration with NITDA, last year, on March 12, 2024, we commissioned the first-ever ICT community centre constructed by NITDA named the Zainab Bulkachuwa Community ICT Centre in Bauchi State.
“So far, NITDA has constructed four community ICT centres in total. This centre we are commissioning today is the second, while Benue and Oyo centres are ready to be commissioned soon.
“Other Digital Economy Centres have also been fully equipped with computers and other ICT materials in five states namely: Jigawa, Ebonyi, Cross River, Oyo, Niger and the Federal Capital Territory.
“Ten additional Digital Economy Centres in Abia, Edo, Delta, Ondo, Kano, Katsina, Lagos, Nasarawa, Yobe and Zamfara are also being fully equipped with ICT materials and will be ready for commissioning soon.
“I have been informed that these centres have greatly benefited our youth, especially women and girls, by providing invaluable opportunities for growth and empowerment.
“I am glad to hear about the success stories and the opportunities these centres afford members of these various communities that have benefited from this intervention.
“The knowledge of ICT serves as a significant tool for empowering communities, especially women, enabling them to break traditional barriers and access new opportunities.
“By equipping themselves with ICT skills, women and girls can enhance their educational prospects, be self-reliant, participate in the global economy and support their families.
“Therefore, today’s commissioning presents us with another opportunity under the Mandate of the Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy to further expand digital access to our citizens, by providing communities with the resources they require to develop ICT skills.
“This is in line with the priority area of the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR to accelerate economic diversification through industrialisation and digitalisation.
“I urge members of this community to take full ownership of this centre. The success of the centre depends on your active participation and utilization of the resources available.”
Senator Tinubu added that: “In the spirit of today’s event, the Renewed Hope Initiative, under the RHI Economic Empowerment scope, will be presenting a grant of N50 million to the First Lady of Kwara State and RHI State Coordinator to support another set of 1,000 women petty traders with the sum of N50,000 each to recapitalize their existing businesses.
“We had earlier empowered 1,000 women petty traders on the 22nd August, 2024.
“Under the RHI Social Investment Programme, 250 elderly citizens were given a grant of N200,000 each on the 17th December, 2024 to celebrate the yuletide season.
“In addition, RHI, under its education programme is collaborating with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to build an alternative high school for girls in Kwara State.
“This is to provide another opportunity to access education for girls and women who dropped out of school due to early pregnancies, child marriages and other socio-economic reasons.”
She said the state has been nominated to benefit from the construction of a model Early Childhood Care Development Education (ECCDE) Centre, which will be built in Ilorin.
The president’s wife also stated that as part of the fruit of her collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), the Kwara State University will benefit from the establishment of an ICT Experience Centre.
She said under the RHI Agriculture Programme, women and young farmers will benefit from the N68.9 million Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Support grant.
Senator Tinubu added that the grant has been made available to Kwara State, through the governor’s wife and RHI state coordinator, who will be responsible for the implementation of the Women Agricultural Support Programme (WASP), Youth Agricultural Support Programme, Every Home a Garden and Young Farmers Club of the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Also speaking at the event, the wife of the Kwara State governor and initiator of the Ajike Peoples Support Centre, Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, commended the Renewed Hope Initiative of Senator Tinubu and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) for the very laudable initiative that would not only equip the women and youths with in demand digital skills but also best positions them for the opportunities that are abound in the Nigerian and global digital space.
She said: “Today’s commissioning speaks to the many engagements and partnerships of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria towards ensuring that Nigerians are adequately supported in the pursuit of their goals and improving livelihoods of the most indigent to complement the efforts of Mr. President His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and the Federal Government in this regard.
“It is indeed an honour and a great privilege for me to welcome you all to this auspicious occasion of the official commissioning and handing over of the ICT community centre Ilorin, by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
“While this milestone will continue to up the status of women, youths and other users of the facility, it is also creating pathways into making Nigeria a digitally empowered nation, as well as fostering a technology enabled equitable future for all Nigerians.”
Prof. AbdulRazaq enjoined the host school and users alike to ensure the protection and security of the edifice and take full advantage of the services the facility provides to develop themselves and promote positive causes.
She said on behalf of Kwara State women, children and girls, she thanked Senator Tinubu for including the state among the states benefitting from the very laudable project, as the state remained committed to propagating the programmes and activities of the Renewed Hope Initiative and amplifying all its advocacies in all communities in the state.
THISDAY
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