By Victoria Okpanachi
In a bid to boost small businesses and improve livelihoods across kogi state, Nigeria’s First Lady and National Chairperson of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has announced a ₦100 million empowerment package for 2,000 petty traders to help recapitalize their businesses.
Sen. Tinubu made the announcement on Saturday during the launch of the National Community Food Bank Programme for the North Central Zone in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.
She explained that the initiative is aimed at supporting Kogi first lady Hajia Sefinat Ododo who earlier empowered 500 small scale entrepreneurs during her visit, encouraging self-reliance and expanding economic opportunities for less privileged Nigerians.
The First Lady urged citizens not to look down on any legitimate means of livelihood, stressing that people possess different talents, capacities and aspirations that can be transformed into sustainable sources of wealth.
She noted that Kogi State, like the rest of Nigeria, is richly endowed with abundant opportunities that should be fully harnessed for national development.
Sen. Tinubu commended the government and people of the state for the warm reception accorded to her and members of her entourage, applauding Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and Wife of the Governor, Hajia Sefinat Usman Ododo for their commitment to improving the welfare of the people through impactful programmes and projects.
Speaking on the National Community Food Bank Programme, the First Lady described it as a deliberate intervention designed to strengthen food security and ensure that vulnerable households have access to nutritious food.
She explained that the initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and other relevant government agencies.
She stated that the North Central launch marks the third phase of the nationwide rollout following the previous launch in Borno and Jigawa states, and called on governors across the states of the federation to embrace the programme in order to expand its reach and impact.
Sen. Tinubu also appealed to traditional rulers to sensitise their communities on the objectives of the programme and encourage active participation to guarantee its success.
The First Lady praised Governor Ododo for prioritising the welfare of Kogi citizens through projects such as the Kogi State Health Insurance Agency with its new headquarters just commissioned, the Treasury House named in her honour, and the upgraded Primary Healthcare Centre at Lokongoma which also houses the Community Food Bank programme in the state.
