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First Lady Inaugurates N1.85bn Empowerment Support For Traders
The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, yesterday inaugurated the disbursement of N1.85billion capitalisation empowerment support for 37,000 women petty traders across Nigeria.
Speaking at the event in Asaba, Delta State, Mrs Tinubu said the empowerment is an initiative of her pet project, the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Programme
She said 1,000 pre-selected women petty traders in each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) would be given a grant of N50,000 each, to recapitalise and grow their businesses.
She disclosed that the disbursement of the grant was taking place simultaneously across the 36 states of the FCT.
The First Lady commended Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta for adding N50 million to the RHI grant of #50 million to beneficiaries in the state.
According to her, with the N50 million support from the governor, each of the 1000 beneficiaries in Delta would receive a sum of N100,000
Mrs Tinubu acknowledged the challenges faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), especially the women petty traders.
According to her, petty traders formed the backbone of the local economies, and the women had remained resilient in spite of the challenges that confronted them.
“I salute you all and celebrate your courage and resilience that keep you going to put food on the table for your families.
“Today, through the RHI economic empowerment programme, a total of N1.850 billion will be disbursed to 37,000 women petty traders across the nation.
“The grants provided today are to assist our women, petty traders in overcoming some of their business challenges, expand their businesses, create more jobs, and contribute more robustly to our economy,” she said.
The first lady noted that economic empowerment remains a core objective of her pet project, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“We have consistently delivered on this promise to both women and youths across the six geopolitical zones to support the economic reforms of the administration of President Tinubu.
“We recognise that, empowering women economically is not just a moral imperative but a strategic one.
“When women thrive, their families thrive, and by extension, our communities and nation prosper,” she said.
The first lady commended the beneficiaries and charged them to put the grants into good use to boost their businesses and support their families.
“To the beneficiaries, I say, you are the heart of our local economies, the foundation of our communities, and the unsung heroes of our nation”.
“You have shown incredible resilience in overcoming countless challenges to build your businesses. Today, we celebrate your hard work and determination.
“Let us all continue to work together to build a Nigeria where every woman has the opportunity to succeed, where every small business can grow and contribute to our nation’s prosperity,” she said
Mrs Tinubu also thanked the state governor, his wife, Mrs Tobore, and the people of Delta for their support, warm reception and the hospitality accorded to her team.
Earlier, Mrs Oborevwori in a welcome remarks, thanked Mrs Tinubu for choosing the state to launch the empowerment programme .
“Your commitment to the well-being of Nigerians through the RHI in agriculture, education, economic empowerment, social investment and health care is commendable.
“As a state, we have benefitted from these initiatives, including the distribution of notebooks and scholarship schemes for students, grants for the elderly and farmers and distribution of bags of rice to indigent women
“As you always say to us, no family should suffer in this administration. This gesture is a clear testimony that Nigerians will be catered for,” she said
The governor’s wife and founder “You Matter Charity Foundation’, said that her foundation had also empowered and supported rural market women among others.
She congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to make judicious use of the grant to grow their businesses as well as contribute to the well-being of their families.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.