By Razaq Ayinla, Abeokuta and Nathaniel Gbaoron
Oluremi Tinubu, the Nigeria’s first lady and wife of President Bola Tinubu has empowered 240 women farmers drawn from 12 States that make up the South-West and North-Central geo-political zones of the Country with N120 million.
Tinubu, who empowered the women farners under Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Women Agricultural Support Programme disbursed N500,000 each to 120 women farmers from the South-West States of Ogun, Osun, Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti and Oyo as well as another 120 women farmers from the North-Central States of Plateau, Benue, Kwara, Kogi, Niger and Nasarawa.
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The Nigeria’s first lady also announced a sum of N20 million to be disbursed N100,000 each to support businesses being operated by the Persons Living With the Disability, which would be disbursed to 100 Persons Living with Disability in each State of Ogun and Plateau.
Speaking at the launch of Renewed Hope Initiative for South-West in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital, Tinubu declared that the Renewed Hope Initiative would be collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to empower farmers, saying 75% of the beneficiaries who would be young female farmers and 25% young male farmers, would be specially identified, trained and empowered under the programme.
The first lady, who spoke in company of Governor Dapo Abiodun and his wife, Bamidele, as well as Tamunominini Makinde, wife of Oyo State Governor and the Chairperson of South-West Renewed Hope Initiative, noted that the pre-identified 80 women farmers in each State for agricultural support programme would be carried along, urging women farmers to use the opportunity to expand their agricultural ventures and contribute to local and national food production.
Similarly in Plateau State where the launch for the North-Central States was held, Oluremi Tinubu, said the Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme, holding simultaneously in three other geo-political zones was to channel financial support of N500,000 each to 20 women farmers per State in North-Central geo-political zone as well as other zones where the launch was being held simultaneously.
Represented by Salamatu Gbajabiamila, wife of the Chief of Staff to President and Member/ Director Economic Council of Renewed Hope Initiative Salamatu Tinubu said that the programme focused on diverse agricultural sectors like agrarian, animal husbandry, poultry, fish farming, horticulture, among others, just as she asked
the beneficiaries to expand their business ventures and contribute to national food production and serve as role models in their communities.
She said, “Today, we are flagging off the renewed Hope initiative agricultural support program for the North Central zone in fulfillment of our promise to continue to promote the women folk, particularly farmers, across the nation. As we speak, this program is holding simultaneously in three other zones, namely northeast Borno state, northwest Kebi State, southwest Ogun State, while that of south south will be hosted at a later date.
“The administration of his Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, recognizes the pivotal role that agriculture plays in achieving sustainable development and ensuring food sufficiency. Therefore, the Renewed Hope Initiative’s commitment to supporting women farmers nationwide aligns with a broader national agenda to strengthen the agricultural sector.
“Today, we are supporting 20 women farmers per State in the North-Central zone with the sum of N500,000 each. To this end, a draft of N10 million per State for the North-Central zone will be handed over to the first ladies of Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau who are also RHI State coordinators for onward disbursement to all beneficiaries in their respective States.
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“The draft for the beneficiaries in Benue State and the FCT will be received by their respective RHI coordinators. These are for farmers in the agrarian sector, animal husbandry, poultry and fish farming. In a short while, the Renewed Hope Initiative will be collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to empower more potential farmers. In this phase, 75% of the beneficiaries will be young female farmers, while 25% will be for our young male farmers.
“They will all be specially identified, trained and empowered. Also, the pre identified 80 women farmers in each state for our agricultural support program will be carried along. I want to implore our women farmers receiving support today to seize this opportunity to expand their agricultural ventures, contribute to local and national food production, and serve as role models for others aspiring to join the agricultural sector.
“I am confident that this initiative will not only transform the lives of the individual beneficiaries, but also contribute to food sufficiency in the north central zone. I urge all stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders and non Governmental organizations, to work hand in hand to support local farmers to ensure food security in our communities and nation at large.”
