Adebayo Adenrele
The wife of the President and National Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Saturday donated a sum of N100 million empowerment fund to Ekiti women aimed at supporting their small and large scale businesses.
This was when the First Lady paid a one-day visit to the state to flag off the Ekiti State Women Campaign for the 2026 governorship election, with activities including commissioning of an ICT Centre facilitated by her Renewed Hope Initiative at Ekiti State University, Ado- Ekiti (EKSU) and visitation to traditional rulers for royal blessings.
The event, held in Ado-Ekiti, drew thousands of women, political leaders and supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who gathered to demonstrate support Speaking at the flag off ceremony held in Ado-Ekiti, Tinubu said her visit was primarily to appreciate Ekiti people for their support for Governor Oyebanji and his administration, as well as canvassing votes for Oyebanji and President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2026 governorship election and the 2027 presidential poll.
The First Lady announced that 2,000 women in the state would benefit from a cash empowerment programme, with each recipient receiving N50,000, totally N100 million in direct financial support. to support their businesses and livelihoods.
She thanked residents for their support for Governor Oyebanji and his wife and appealed for continued backing of the APC administration.
Senator Tinubu also defended the economic reforms of the Federal Government, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, acknowledging the initial difficulties experienced by Nigerians while expressing optimism about improving economic conditions.
Her words, “We will not talk much. We are here because of Oyebanji. The arrangements have already been set; we are just here to thank you.
“I have told the first Lady of Ekiti state that 2,000 should be empowered with N50,000 each here in Ekiti State.
“I am here to appreciate you for the support you have given BAO and his wife. Help us vote for BAO and when it is 2027, vote for the President.
“When the subsidy was removed, everything became difficult, but things are getting better now. The economy will improve and things will continue to get better”.
Also speaking at the gathering, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, urged women in the state to remain steadfast in their support for the APC administration at both the state and federal levels, saying “If you love Tinubu, let’s stand on his mandate and BAO’s mandate too”.
Also speaking, the Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative in Ekiti State and wife of the governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, commended women in the state for their continued support for the APC and expressed confidence in the party’s electoral fortunes.
She recalled Ekiti State’s role during the 2023 presidential election, noting that the state was among the first to release its results.
“She said we should vote for BAO and by January, for Jagaban. In 2023, it was Ekiti that first released presidential results. It will be massive again by 2027”.
In his remarks, Governor Biodun Oyebanji attributed many of his administration’s achievements to the support received from President Tinubu’s administration.
The governor also praised Senator Tinubu for her numerous interventions in support of vulnerable groups, schools and the elderly across the country.
“My own is just to express my profound gratitude to you for visiting Ekiti State. I also thank President Tinubu for his support for Ekiti. All the things we have done, whether in healthcare, road construction, employment and other sectors, would not have been possible without the support of my father, President Tinubu.
“We are saying thank you. We thank our mother for her support for the less privileged, the elderly and schools. We have promised that we will give President Tinubu at least 700,000 votes in Ekiti by 2027”. He added
