Abuja, Nigeria – In a landmark assembly dedicated to advancing the welfare of Nigerian women and children, the First Ladies of Nigeria’s 36 states gathered at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday for the inaugural 2024 Quarterly High-Level Meeting of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI). Hosted by Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady and RHI National Chairman, the event signaled a unified commitment to eradicating poverty and inequality through innovative, grassroots-driven programs. The summit marked a pivotal step in aligning state-level efforts with President Bola Tinubu’s federal agenda for national development.
The closed-door deliberations centered on evaluating the RHI’s milestones, including its healthcare outreach programs, educational scholarships, and agricultural support schemes. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, wife of Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, emphasized that the meeting produced a “better roadmap” for 2025, with a focus on “unique program models” to address regional disparities. “We’re moving beyond one-size-fits-all solutions,” she noted, highlighting plans to tailor initiatives to the cultural and economic realities of different states.
A defining moment came when Senator Tinubu commended Anambra State for its “textbook execution” of the Renewed Hope Initiative Agricultural Support Program. Launched in 2023, the initiative has empowered over 5,000 smallholder farmers in the state with seeds, fertilizers, and modern farming equipment, boosting cassava and rice production by 40%. Mrs. Soludo, visibly moved by the recognition, described it as a “proud moment for Anambra,” adding, “Our eyes remain fixed on sustainable results, not applause.”
In her keynote address, Senator Tinubu praised the collective resolve of the First Ladies, urging them to adopt Anambra’s community-centric approach. “When we invest in women and children, we secure Nigeria’s future,” she declared, announcing plans to expand the RHI’s reach to all 774 local government areas. She also unveiled a new mentorship program pairing experienced governors’ wives with newcomers to foster knowledge exchange.
To replicate Anambra’s success, the RHI announced a National Agricultural Blueprint, detailing steps for states to adopt similar models. Key components include cooperative farming clusters, digital training platforms, and partnerships with agribusiness giants. Civil society groups lauded the RHI’s focus on inclusivity but called for stricter accountability measures. They urged transparency in fund allocation: “Success hinges on tracking every naira to ensure it reaches the intended beneficiaries.
The First Ladies departed with a mandate to submit state-specific action plans by April 2025. Quarterly progress reviews will be conducted, with top-performing states eligible for additional federal grants. Senator Tinubu also hinted at a potential national summit in Q3 to showcase breakthroughs.
As the event concluded, Mrs. Soludo echoed a sentiment shared by many: “This isn’t about politics—it’s about people.” With Anambra’s model lighting the path, the RHI’s renewed strategy signals a transformative phase in Nigeria’s quest for equitable growth, one community at a time.
