Abuja: Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi announced that traditional institutions, community leaders, and grassroots partnerships were pivotal to the Renewed Hope Initiative’s (RHI) success, which reached 27,345 beneficiaries across the Federal Capital Territory over three years. Benjamins-Laniyi shared this during the three-year celebration of RHI FCT (2023-2026), themed ‘Our Stories, Her Impact’, and presented the initiative’s impact report to stakeholders.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the programme showcased how women-led community engagement could effectively deliver development interventions to vulnerable populations, promoting inclusion, empowerment, and access to opportunities across communities. Benjamins-Laniyi emphasized that the initiative was not solely a gender agenda, but harnessed the power of women to reach entire communities.
The FCT recorded 27,345 direct beneficiaries through the initiative, with an additional 2,000 individuals benefiting from agricultural interventions that supported livelihoods and enhanced food security. Benjamins-Laniyi highlighted the transformative impact on lives, families, and communities gaining access to opportunities through empowerment programmes. She acknowledged traditional rulers and grassroots leaders for their support and reflected on her efforts to deepen community engagement across the region.
The initiative aimed to deliver hope and opportunities to women, youths, farmers, and vulnerable groups, fostering inclusive development and sustainable community growth across the FCT. Benjamins-Laniyi called for sustained collaboration among government institutions, traditional leaders, development partners, and communities to expand the impact of empowerment programmes nationwide.
First Lady of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, remarked that the Renewed Hope Initiative was established to complement government efforts through people-centered interventions that improve livelihoods and create opportunities. She emphasized the initiative’s support for women, youths, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable groups through grants, skills acquisition programmes, educational support, and health interventions nationwide.
Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, described the initiative as a testament to visionary leadership, strategic partnerships, and collective action in advancing inclusive national development. She noted the programme’s empowerment of women, strengthening of families, equipping young people with practical skills, and promoting inclusion for persons with disabilities nationwide.
Among beneficiaries, Martha Adamu, known as Loud It, shared how the support received enabled her to establish a shoe-making business and achieve financial independence. Amb. Mube Awala, representing Persons with Disabilities, highlighted the healthcare support, empowerment opportunities, and business grants provided to women with disabilities. Farida Suleiman, APC FCT Women Leader, noted that empowerment programmes expanded economic opportunities for women in rural communities and strengthened support systems for vulnerable households across the Federal Capital Territory.