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Osun State First Lady, Chief (Mrs.) Titilola Adeleke, has debunked claims by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Leader in the state, Alhaja Kudirat Fakokunde.
The latter alleged that female members of the opposition were sidelined in the distribution of the Renewed Hope Business Grant.
The grant, an initiative of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in collaboration with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, is targeted at uplifting grassroots women with financial support to strengthen their businesses and support their families.
Reacting through a statement by her Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Adewale Adeleke, the First Lady described the allegation as “unfounded, mischievous, and misleading.”
She stressed that the distribution in Osun was handled with fairness, inclusiveness, and transparency.
According to the statement, Osun State received 500 slots under the scheme, out of which 200 were reserved specifically for APC women as part of efforts to ensure equity across party lines.
The remaining slots, it added, were distributed to grassroots traders, artisans, and other women drawn from various communities without political bias.
Mrs. Adeleke noted that her decision to deliberately accommodate women from the opposition party in a government-supported empowerment programme was unprecedented in Osun’s history. She described it as a reflection of her “God-fearing and peace-loving nature.”
“The Renewed Hope Initiative is bigger than partisan politics. To drag such a noble project into unnecessary controversy is to undermine the very essence of empowering women across Nigeria,” the statement said.
The Office of the First Lady assured that it would continue to work with government institutions, private foundations, and community stakeholders to provide opportunities for Osun women, regardless of political affiliation.
Mrs. Adeleke urged beneficiaries to focus on using the grant to grow their businesses and contribute to the state’s economic growth rather than be swayed by divisive narratives.
“With fairness, inclusivity, and transparency as our watchwords, we remain committed to lifting Osun women and giving them the support they need to thrive,” the statement concluded.
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