The First Lady made this known on Wednesday in Owerri, Imo State, during the presentation of empowerment items to beneficiaries selected from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states.

She said 500 women in each state were selected to benefit from the initiative, with beneficiaries receiving items including deep-chest freezers, maxi gas cookers with ovens, generators and industrial grinding machines to support the establishment or expansion of their businesses.

Tinubu said the nationwide rollout of the programme would ultimately empower 18,500 women, with 500 beneficiaries selected from each state and the Federal Capital Territory.

She noted that empowering women remained critical to the wellbeing of families and the prosperity of society, adding that the initiative was also aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, and SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth.

The First Lady commended Imo State Governor for providing an additional 2,000 empowerment items, which increased the total number of beneficiaries in the state to 2,500.

She encouraged other state governors to emulate the gesture and support programmes aimed at improving the economic wellbeing of women.

In addition to the empowerment items, Tinubu donated N250 million to the 2,500 women beneficiaries at the event.

She urged the beneficiaries to use the items and financial support judiciously to grow their businesses and improve the living conditions of their families.

Earlier, the First Lady was conferred with the chieftaincy title of Oso Di Eme of Imo by the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers.

The title, which means “one who supports her husband,” was conferred on her in recognition of her role in supporting and promoting the policies and programmes of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Tinubu also urged Nigerians to continue to trust the administration, saying the country was steadily moving towards economic prosperity.