The Ọọ̀ni of Ifẹ̀, His Imperial Majesty, Adéyẹyè Ẹnitàn Babátúndé Ògúnwùsì – CFR, Ọ̀jájá II, in partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), unveiled a ₦1 billion endowment fund on Saturday to support female entrepreneurs in the country.
The initiative, named the Alhaja Habibatu Mogaji Tinubu Endowment Fund in honor of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mother, was part of this year’s Royal African Young Leadership Forum activities, where 100 youths from across the continent received awards.
The Revered Monarch, joined by SMEDAN Director General Charles Odii, unveiled the fund at the event held in Oduduwa Hall of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. He stated that young female entrepreneurs would benefit from the fund to grow their businesses.
He said, “For this fund, we know one person so prolific in Nigeria due to what she did as an entrepreneur. She did so well in this country. Even after her demise, we still remember all she did in this world before she left.
“So, we are naming this fund after Iyaloja Abibatu Mogaji Tinubu. It is a ₦1 billion endowment fund to help young people establish their own businesses.”
Oba Ògúnwùsì said the fourth edition of the Royal African Young Leadership Forum exemplify the hidden treasures and immense potential of the continent. He added that by showcasing their stories, others would be inspired to push forward and excel in various fields.
Among the awardees were the Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Ibrahim, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, and Dr. John Aggrey, among others.
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