The Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula and the Natural Head of the Oduduwa race worldwide, the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has recounted his humble childhood experiences, revealing that he hawked goods while growing up despite being born into a royal family.
In a statement by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare said, the revered monarch shared his personal story while commending Nigeria’s First Lady and Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for empowering 1,000 women petty traders in Ile-Ife with ₦50 million in business recapitalisation grants.
The Ooni spoke at his palace in Ile-Ife on Wednesday during the Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Empowerment Programme, where each of the 1,000 beneficiaries received ₦50,000 to support and expand their businesses, bringing the total value of the intervention to ₦50 million.
The First Lady was represented at the event by the wife of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaja Kafayat Olaitan Oyetola, the wife of the Osun State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Sekinat Bola Oyebamiji; the wife of the APC deputy governorship candidate, Princess Adebukola Adereti; the Osun APC Women Leader, Alhaja Kudirat Fakokunde; and other prominent women leaders of the party in the state.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Ooni Ogunwusi expressed appreciation to Senator Oluremi Tinubu for extending the Renewed Hope Initiative to Ile-Ife, describing the programme as a significant grassroots intervention aimed at supporting women and strengthening small-scale businesses.
Reflecting on his early years, the Ooni encouraged the beneficiaries not to allow their present circumstances to define their future.
“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 said.
He urged the women to remain hopeful despite the prevailing economic challenges, stressing that perseverance, prudent financial management and commitment to their businesses would improve their livelihoods.
The Ooni also appreciated Alhaja Kafayat Oyetola, Dr. Sekinat Oyebamiji and other women leaders for facilitating the successful implementation of the programme in Ile-Ife.
He advised the beneficiaries to invest the grants in their businesses rather than spending the money on non-essential items, noting that proper utilisation would enable them to expand their trading activities and improve their family incomes.
Earlier, Dr. Sekinat Oyebamiji said the empowerment programme reflected Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare of women, particularly those engaged in petty trading and street hawking.
She explained that the First Lady conceived the initiative to cushion the effects of economic hardship on vulnerable women, adding that the Ooni ensured that genuine beneficiaries from Ile-Ife were selected for the programme.
“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,” she said.
Also speaking, Alhaja Kafayat Oyetola emphasised that the ₦50,000 grant was strictly meant for business recapitalisation.
“This money is meant to support your business. Please do not divert it to ceremonies or unnecessary expenses. Let it serve as additional capital to grow your business. We also encourage you to continue praying for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Oluremi Tinubu for their commitment to improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” she said.