First Lady empowers 2,000 Benue women with N100m grant, unveils ICT centre

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu launched a significant economic empowerment program in Benue State on Tuesday, distributing N100 million in grants to 2,000 women involved in petty trading. This initiative, part of the Renewed Hope Initiative, aims to provide start-up capital and recapitalize existing businesses.

The First Lady also inaugurated a Community Information and Technology Centre in Ihugh, Vandeikya Local Government Area. She highlighted the crucial role of ICT in empowering communities, particularly women, by opening new opportunities and enhancing youth prospects in the global economy. This brings the total number of ICT centers in Benue to four, with 15 others established across various states and the Federal Capital Territory, all equipped with modern facilities to bridge the digital divide.

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The knowledge of ICT serves as a significant tool for empowering communities, especially women, and will enable them to break new opportunities and enhance youths in their educational prospect in the global economy.

During her visit, Mrs. Tinubu also commissioned an 11.5-kilometer road in Makurdi, with one section named in her honor. Governor Hyacinth Alia praised the ICT center as a transformational facility that will foster entrepreneurship and e-marketing. The state government pledged its commitment to supporting these centers with start-up funds and ensuring reliable power and internet connectivity.

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On the grant, the Renewed Hope Initiative on our part will present a N50 million grant to 1,000 women in Vandeikya, and an additional N50 million to support 1,000 in Makurdi and environs to recapitalise their existing businesses, which is a total of N100 million to empower 2,000 women engaged in petty trading.