The Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has shared his humble childhood story, revealing that he hawked goods while growing up despite being born into a royal family, as he commended Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for extending a ₦50 million economic empowerment programme to 1,000 women petty traders in Ile-Ife.
The revered monarch made the remarks on Wednesday at the Ile-Oodua Palace, Ile-Ife, during the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Economic Empowerment Programme, where 1,000 beneficiaries each received a business recapitalisation grant of ₦50,000 to support and expand their small-scale enterprises.
Speaking during the event, the Ooni described the intervention as a meaningful grassroots initiative capable of strengthening women-owned businesses and improving household livelihoods, while expressing gratitude to the First Lady for including Ile-Ife among the beneficiaries of the programme.
Reflecting on his personal journey, the monarch urged the women not to allow present challenges to limit their aspirations, stressing that hard work, resilience and discipline remain essential ingredients for success.
“I thank all of you, especially our mothers. I love you all dearly. I hawked during my childhood days despite being a prince. Life teaches us that no condition is permanent, and no one truly knows what tomorrow holds. Your children can become greater than you if they remain focused and hardworking.”
The Ooni encouraged the beneficiaries to remain optimistic despite prevailing economic realities, advising them to make prudent use of the grants by investing the funds directly into their businesses rather than spending them on non-essential items.
He noted that proper utilisation of the financial support would not only help expand their businesses but also improve their family incomes and long-term economic stability.
The monarch also acknowledged the efforts of those who facilitated the successful implementation of the programme in Ile-Ife, including Alhaja Kafayat Olaitan Oyetola, wife of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy; Dr. Sekinat Bola Oyebamiji, wife of the Osun State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate; Princess Adebukola Adereti, wife of the APC deputy governorship candidate; Osun APC Women Leader, Alhaja Kudirat Fakokunde; and other women leaders who participated in the event.
Representing the First Lady at the programme, the delegation reiterated Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs and reducing the economic burden on vulnerable families through the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Earlier, Dr. Sekinat Oyebamiji explained that the empowerment programme was conceived to assist women engaged in petty trading and street hawking, describing it as part of the First Lady’s broader commitment to improving the welfare of grassroots women across the country.
She commended the Ooni for ensuring that genuine beneficiaries from Ile-Ife were selected for the intervention and urged recipients to channel the funds into productive ventures capable of generating sustainable income.
“The First Lady thought about women who struggle daily through petty trading and street hawking. Kabiyesi ensured that those who genuinely needed support were selected. We encourage every beneficiary to invest this money in her business so that it can yield lasting benefits.”
Also speaking, Alhaja Kafayat Oyetola reminded the beneficiaries that the ₦50,000 grant was specifically provided for business recapitalisation and should not be diverted to social ceremonies or avoidable personal expenses.
She encouraged the women to use the funds as additional working capital to strengthen their businesses while appreciating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Oluremi Tinubu for prioritising programmes aimed at improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
The Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Empowerment Programme forms part of ongoing efforts by the Office of the First Lady to promote financial inclusion, strengthen women-owned micro-enterprises and provide economic support for vulnerable groups across the country.