First Lady Donates N1 Billion to Support Victims of Floods and Banditry in Niger State

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday announced a donation of N1 billion to the Niger State Government to assist victims affected by natural disasters and banditry.

The donation was unveiled during the inauguration of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Women Empowerment Programme held in Minna, the state capital.

According to Mrs. Tinubu, the funds will be channeled toward housing support and essential supplies for displaced families, enabling them to rebuild their lives, sustain their daily needs, and pursue a better future.

“This donation aligns with the vision of the Renewed Hope Initiative, which is committed to building ‘a better life for families,’” she said.

In addition to the N1 billion donation, the First Lady also announced N25 million in empowerment grants for 500 women in Niger State, with each beneficiary receiving N50,000 to boost their small-scale businesses.

She emphasized that the grant is not a loan but a gesture of support for women striving to provide for their families and contribute to their communities.

“It is my firm belief that when you empower a woman, you empower a household, a community, and indeed, a nation,” Mrs. Tinubu said.

The women’s empowerment scheme, which targets 18,500 beneficiaries across the 36 states and the FCT, is being implemented in collaboration with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which donated N1 billion to the RHI in support of this initiative.

“Today, this programme is being launched simultaneously in Adamawa and Niger States, with disbursement in other states and the FCT to follow shortly,” she added.

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, expressed appreciation for the First Lady’s consistent support, recalling her previous donation of N100 million to victims of a bomb explosion at a mine site in the state.

“That donation brought relief and transformed the lives of many affected families,” Bago said. “We are deeply grateful for your continued compassion, especially now when many communities are battling the effects of flooding.”

The governor also praised the First Lady’s humanitarian efforts as a reflection of the progressive leadership of President Bola Tinubu.

The event was attended by dignitaries, community leaders, and women beneficiaries, many of whom expressed joy and gratitude for the empowerment programme and the relief support.