The Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said the donation of items across the country initiative was a bold step towards empowering Nigerian women across the 36 states and the FCT.
Orelope-Adefulire stressed that the First Lady’s RHI program, has continued to serve as a beacon of empowerment and economic transformation, aligning seamlessly with our national development priorities and the SDGs.
“Today’s programme is not just about distributing empowerment items; it is about unlocking potential, fostering economic independence and creating opportunities for women to thrive.
“By equipping 500 women per state and the FCT with tools such as gas cookers, generators, deep freezers and grinding machines, we are strengthening their capacity to build sustainable livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to inclusive national development,” she said.
She noted that the OSSAP-SDGs has, over the years, strengthened efforts at empowering women and children including the construction and equipping of 66 Skills Acquisition Centres and Transit Homes for women and girls across the country.
She added: “These were supported with over 4, 800 computers for ICT training.
“This investment reflects our firm belief that when a woman is empowered, a home is built, a community is strengthened, and a nation prospers.
“Indeed, recent evidence has shown that women entrepreneurs contribute significantly to Nigerian economic development through employment generation, poverty eradication and basic family support.
“Thus, I encourage our beneficiaries today to make the most of this opportunity.
“Let these empowerment tools towans serve as stepping stones towards financial independence, business development and sustainable livelihood”.
Orelope-Adefulire reaffirmed the President’s commitment to the achievement of the SDGS in Nigeria.
Orelope-Adefulire, who was represented by Special Adviser to Kogi Governor on SDGs, Mr Usman Musa, appreciated the first lady for her visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to improving the lives of women across Nigeria.
Some of the beneficiaries; Mrs Khadijat Abdullahi from Okehi; Mrs Hannah Mohammed from Ibaji; and Dorcas Olayemi from Kabba-Bunu LGA, jointly appreciated the federal government for the gesture.
“This is the first time we are experiencing this kind of gesture to truly eradicate poverty at the grassroots, it will go a long way to improve our wellbeing and livelihoods,” Olayemi said.
The highlight of the occasion was the symbolic presentation of empowerment items to beneficiaries by Mrs Ododo on behalf the Nigeria’s first lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu.
