RHI: Governor’s Wife, Tony Elumelu empowered 1,000 women, distribute food items in Ebonyi
BY: UZORIGWE GLORIA, ABAKALIKI.
The wife of Ebonyi State Governor and CEO of BERWO foundation, Chief Mrs. Mary-maudline Uzoamaka Ogbonna Nwifuru, has represented the first lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on the 4th day of September 2025 at the Women’s Development Center.
This program empowered over one thousand (1,000) women with fifty thousand naira to support and grow their small businesses.
“It is with great honor and a deep sense of responsibility that I stand before you today, representing our dear Mother of the Nation, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, at this important event, the RHI/Tony Elumelu Foundation Women Economic Empowerment Programme here in Ebonyi.
The BERWO founder, Chief Mrs. Nwifuru, said the gathering was not just to celebrate another empowerment initiative, but to affirm our unwavering commitment to the economic liberation of Nigerian women. This programme, which provides small business recapitalization grants to 500 women across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, is a clear testimony that when women rise, families thrive, communities prosper, and nations are transformed.
She narrated that the First Lady of Nigeria, through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), has consistently emphasized that the economic empowerment of women is at the heart of building a stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient Nigeria. Partnering with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, a renowned champion of African entrepreneurship, strengthens this vision by ensuring that our women, the bedrock of society, are given the resources, opportunities, and encouragement to flourish.
Ebonyi’s first lady lamented on the challenges that many of our women face daily: limited access to finance, lack of business capital, the struggle to balance family responsibilities with economic aspirations, and the weight of cultural and societal barriers. Yet, despite these obstacles, Nigerian women have continued to show remarkable resilience, courage, and innovation. They are market leaders, farmers, artisans, professionals, and entrepreneurs who, with the right support, can build enterprises that will sustain families and transform entire communities.
“This intervention, small business recapitalization grants is more than financial support; it is an investment in hope, dignity, and the future of our nation. It is about giving women the wings to fly, to dream bigger, and to take charge of their destinies.
BERWO founder said “under the visionary leadership of her husband, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Bldr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, Governor of Ebonyi State, has continued to prioritize policies and programmes that place women at the center of development.
This initiative aligns perfectly with our shared agenda of building stronger families, reduce poverty, and achieving inclusive growth across our communities, that’s why when His Excellency heard about this program, he quickly buys the initiative and he decides to support her Excellency our dear mother of the nations with the empowerment of extra 500 ebonyi women making it 1000 women, he did that to encoraged and appreciate the mother of the nation and to let her know that we are grateful for her generosity towards our women.
The first mother of the state urged the beneficiaries to embrace this opportunity with discipline, creativity, and commitment, and let the support not only sustain your businesses but also expand them, create jobs for others, and inspire your daughters and sons to believe that with hard work and the right support, success is within reach. On behalf of the First Lady of Nigeria, she expressed her profound gratitude to the Tony Elumelu Foundation for this partnership. This is how true change is built, through collaboration, through shared vision, and through the recognition that empowering women is empowering humanity.
In Speaking: the Hon commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Nwamkpuma Felicia, commended the first lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for stepping down from the Renewed Hope Initiative to the grassroots. Nwamkpuma welcomed the first lady of Nigeria and promised her an enabling environment and assurance of 100% vote in 2027, as long as Ebonyi State is concerned.
The wife of APC Chairman Chief Mrs Stella Chinwendu Okoroemegha, appreciated the Senator Oluremi Tinubu, first lady of Nigeria, for giving support and a sense of belonging to the women all over the country, she expressed gratitude as Ebonyi State home unopposed. Commended the wife of Ebonyi State Governor for her dedication to carrying women of her state to the top.
Others who commanded the first lady of Nigeria are: the Wife of Speaker, wife of Chief judge, Wife of the EXCOs and Wife ALGON Ebonyi State.
