Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has disbursed ₦50 million to 1,000 petty traders in Ile Ife, Osun State, under the Renewed Hope Initiative to boost small businesses and improve livelihoods.
The empowerment programme was held on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at Kensington Hall, Ooni’s Palace, Ile Ife, with each beneficiary receiving ₦50,000 to support and expand their businesses.
Represented by the Osun State All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Leader, Alhaja Kudirat Fakokunde, the First Lady urged the beneficiaries to make prudent use of the grant.
She said the intervention was designed to improve the economic wellbeing of beneficiaries and enhance the welfare of their families.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Sekinat Oyebamiji, wife of the APC governorship candidate in Osun State, encouraged the traders to invest the funds wisely to grow their businesses.
Also addressing the gathering, Mrs. Kafayat Oyetola, wife of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, appealed to residents of Ile Ife to support the APC governorship candidate in the August 15, 2026, governorship election and President Bola Tinubu’s re election bid in 2027.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, commended the First Lady for the empowerment initiative, describing it as timely and capable of improving the livelihoods of many families.
The traditional ruler said the Renewed Hope Initiative reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to uplifting vulnerable Nigerians, stressing that genuine empowerment programmes should prioritise those most in need.
He assured that all verified beneficiaries would receive the grant and urged recipients to use the funds productively to strengthen and expand their businesses.
