Gombe State First Lady, Hajiya Dr. Asmau Inuwa Yahaya, has given fresh hope to families in the state with the launch of the Renewed Hope/Tony Elumelu Foundation Women Economic Empowerment Programme.
At a ceremony in Gombe, 500 women entrepreneurs received small business recapitalisation grants aimed at boosting their trades, supporting their families, and securing a brighter future.
The event was filled with excitement as beneficiaries described the gesture as a lifeline.
Many women, who had been struggling to sustain their small businesses, said the intervention would help them recover, expand, and restore their dignity.
Speaking during the programme, the First Lady said empowering women was key to building stronger homes and societies.
“When you empower a woman, you empower an entire family and by extension the society. This programme is not just about financial support; it is about giving our women the chance to dream bigger, do better, and build a legacy for their children,” she stated.
Hajiya Asmau urged the women to invest the grants wisely, stressing that the initiative was designed to break cycles of poverty and open new doors of opportunity for families across the state.
The Renewed Hope Initiative, carried out in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, is seen as a model of how collaboration between government and the private sector can bring lasting impact at the grassroots.
For many women in Gombe, the support is more than just business funding it is a recognition that their hard work matters, their dreams are valid, and their future is worth investing in.