First Lady disburses N100m grant to 2,000 Benue women, commissions ICT Centre

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday announced a N100 million empowerment grant for 2,000 women engaged in petty trading across Benue State.

The First Lady made the announcement during the commissioning of a Community Information and Technology Centre in Ihugh, Vandeikya Local Government Area, stressing the importance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in driving economic and social development, particularly for women and young people.

Speaking at the event, Mrs Tinubu revealed that Benue State now hosts four ICT centres, while a total of 15 similar facilities have been established in different parts of the country, including Abia, Cross River, Rivers, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Jigawa, and the Federal Capital Territory.

According to her, the centres have been fully equipped with computers and other digital tools to help bridge the technology gap and expand access to digital opportunities nationwide.

She said, “The knowledge of ICT serves as a significant tool for empowering communities, especially women, and will enable them to break new opportunities and enhance youths in their educational prospect in the global economy.

“On the grant, the Renewed Hope Initiative on our part will present a N50 million grant to 1,000 women in Vandeikya, and an additional N50 million to support 1,000 in Makurdi and environs to recapitalise their existing businesses, which is a total of N100 million to empower 2,000 women engaged in petty trading.”

The ICT facility in Ihugh was named after Louis Aluor by the First Lady.

The centre was established through a partnership between the Renewed Hope Initiative and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to enhance digital literacy and technological inclusion in local communities.

Earlier in the day, Mrs Tinubu commissioned an 11.5-kilometre road project in Makurdi. One of the roads completed under the project, Ishayaba Road, was named in her honour.

Governor Hyacinth Alia, while speaking at the event, described the ICT centre as a landmark investment that would boost entrepreneurship, support e-commerce activities, and provide incubation opportunities for small businesses.

He added that the Benue State Government would ensure the facility remains functional through the provision of start-up support, reliable electricity, and internet connectivity.