Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has announced a N100,000 cash grant for each of 2,500 women beneficiaries of an empowerment programme in Imo State, while appealing to residents of the South-East to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The First Lady made the announcement on Wednesday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, during her visit to the South-East as part of efforts to empower women and support small-scale businesses.
The empowerment initiative, implemented through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, is expected to benefit 18,500 women across the country upon completion.
According to Mrs Tinubu, 500 women in each of the five South-Eastern states are being targeted under the programme. Beneficiaries are expected to receive items such as generators, industrial grinding machines, gas cylinders and ovens to enhance their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
She explained that Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, had complemented the Federal Government’s initiative by providing additional empowerment items to 2,000 women in the state.
The governor’s intervention increased the number of beneficiaries in Imo to 2,500, prompting the First Lady to announce an additional N100,000 cash support for each of the beneficiaries.
Mrs Tinubu said the initiative was aimed at recognising and strengthening the contributions of women to nation-building, economic growth and sustainable development.
She urged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the support and see it as an opportunity to improve their families’ living conditions.
Speaking on the 2027 presidential election, the First Lady appealed to voters in the South-East to support her husband’s bid for a second term.
She said she was interested in seeing a better Nigeria in the years ahead and would continue working towards achieving that goal.
“Make una vote for Mr President, we go work for una and Nigeria go better. I want to enjoy Nigeria at old age, so I will work for Nigeria, for my old age,” she said.
Mrs Tinubu added that the empowerment programme was consistent with the administration’s focus on economic growth and sustainable development, particularly for women.
She said, “Recognising the typical role women play in nation building, this is in line with the agenda of Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises economic growth and sustainable development for all Nigerians, particularly women.”
She urged the beneficiaries to regard the intervention as a foundation for building better lives for themselves and their families.
In his remarks, Governor Uzodimma commended the First Lady for her efforts towards nation-building and her commitment to improving the welfare of Nigerians.
The governor also expressed confidence that the people of Imo State would support President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, citing what he described as the President’s achievements in office.
Uzodimma said, “Let him know that Imo people are happy with him, that we are happy with his performance. Let him know that he is doing very well, that we stand with him and that we deeply appreciate his resolute commitment to a stronger, more prosperous, safer and more united Nigeria.”
He pledged the state’s support for the President ahead of the 2027 election.
“I assure you that we will reciprocate this love. We will stand firmly behind our beloved President in January 2027. We will speak with one united, unequivocal voice to stand by those who have consistently stood by us,” he added.
During the visit, the First Lady was also conferred with the chieftaincy title of Osodieme by the traditional institution in Imo State, in recognition of her role in supporting women and contributing to national development.
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