Akwa Ibom First Lady Designate, Lady Helen Obareki (3rd from right), Wife of Senate President, Dr. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio (4th from right) and others presenting one of the items to a beneficiary on Saturday.
By Anietie Akpan
Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has empowered 500 Women in Akwa Ibom State with empowerment items aimed at enhancing their businesses.
In a release dated April 26, from her Media Unit, the Akwa Ibom First Lady Designate, Lady Helen Obareki commended, Senator Tinubu for her bipartisan approach to empowerment.
At the empowerment programme held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Ibom Hall, Uyo, Nigeria’s First Lady said, the programme organised through her platform, Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), was in partnership with office of Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, in recognition of the vital role women play in nation building.
Represented by wife of the Senate President, Dr. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, Senator Tinubu said, that the empowerment programme which targets 18,500 women across the 6 geopolitical zones of the country aims to equip women with the necessary tools to contribute to Nigeria’s growth.
“This programme acknowledges the vital role women play in nation build and also aligns with renewed hope agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which emphasizes inclusivity, economic growth and sustainable development for all Nigerians with a particular focus on empowering women economically.
“The items distributed here today aim to equip our women with the necessary tools and resources they need to build successful businesses and to contribute to the prosperity of our great nation,” she noted.
While disclosing that the programme held simultaneously in other states of the Niger Delta geopolitical zone except Rivers State which is slated for May 2, 2025, the President’s wife urged the beneficiaries to use the items judiciously to grow their individual businesses.
In her remarks, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, commended the country’s First Lady for her bipartisan approach in empowering rural women in states across the nation.
Lady Obareki described the empowerment event as a milestone in the journey towards promoting women’s empowerment and supporting their economic independence. She stated that the programme would create a more equitable and just society where women would reach their full potentials.
“These empowerment items (Deep freezers, Grinding Machines, Generating Sets, Gas Cookers etc.) represent the commitment of our mother, the Nation’s First Lady, to strengthen businesses and improve the livelihood of our rural women,” she remarked.
A cross section of women at the empowerment ceremony on Saturday.
The First Lady Designate of the State urged the beneficiaries selected across party lines to make judicious use of items received as they are the backbone of their families and the state at large.
“I thank our dear mother for choosing Akwa Ibom State to be the focal point in the South South region of the country. I advise that you the beneficiaries use these items to improve your economic status and better your livelihood,” Lady Obareki spoke.
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno in his remarks at the event commended the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her commitment to supporting those in need, particularly women across the nation.
Represented by the Commissioner, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Lady Emem Ibanga, the governor acknowledged Senator Tinubu’s choice of Akwa Ibom State as a focal point for her commendable interventions in the South-South region, and stated that the initiative aligns perfectly with his administration’s ARISE Agenda, which emphasizes social welfare, economic empowerment, and inclusive growth.
Governor Eno expressed gratitude to the Renewed Hope Initiative through the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals for organizing the Empowerment Programme in Uyo. He noted that this initiative exemplifies genuine compassion and service to humanity, and that Akwa Ibom State was proud to partner in this journey of hope, renewal, and shared prosperity.
Pastor Eno congratulated the beneficiaries of the programme, and encouraged them to view the empowerment they received as a seed. He urged them to nurture it wisely, cultivate it diligently, and allow it to flourish into prosperity, not only for themselves but also for their families, communities, and Akwa Ibom State.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Princess Adegoke Orelope-Adefulire in her welcome address, stated that women’s economic empowerment is a key driver to sustainable development noting that the RHI women empowerment programme aligns with the national development priorities of Nigeria and the SDGs, aimed at unlocking the potentials for women and creating opportunities for them to thrive.
She highlighted that 500 women have been selected from each state across the South-South zone and will be empowered with items including, gas cookers, generators, deep freezers and grinding machines to strengthen their capacity, build sustainable livelihood, transform the economy and contribute to national development.
Goodwill messages were received from the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on SDGs, Honourable Nazifi Sani and the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Honourable Inibehe Silas, who praised the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her commitment to the vision of the SDGs.
Commending her efforts to the eradication of hunger and poverty, reduced gender inequalities, promotion of decent work and economic growth, they stated that her dedication to empowering women will help them get out of poverty, contribute positively to the growth and development of their families and the nation as a whole.
Highpoint of the event was a symbolic presentation of empowerment items to beneficiaries as the audience was further captivated by a vibrant ‘Ebre dance’ performance by the Akwa Ibom State Council for Arts and Culture troupe.
