Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday, said her Renewed Hope Initiative is empowering at least 280 women farmers and Persons with Disabilities with N100m.
Twenty women farmers were empowered with N500,000 each in Plateau, Borno, Kebbi, Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states, while 100 PwDs in Ogun State will receive N100,000 each.
“These farmers are those in the agrarian sector, animal husbandry, poultry and fish farming,” Mrs. Tinubu saod when she flagged off the Renewed Hope Initiative Agricultural Support Programme for the southwest in Ogun State.
The details were revealed in a statement signed by the First Lady’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Busola Kukoyi, titled ‘Nigeria’s first lady’s renewed hope initiative, supports women farmers.’
The First Lady said Tuesday’s launch fulfils her promise to continue to promote women, particularly farmers across Nigeria.
The programme which was held simultaneously in Plateau, North Central; Borno, North East and Kebbi, North West would see each of the 180 women farmers trained in produce preservation, cultivation and others.
“Today, we are supporting 20 women farmers per State in the South West Zone with the sum of N500,000 each.
“To this end, a draft of N10,000,000 per State for the South West Zone will be handed over to the First Ladies of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo States who are also RHI State Coordinators for onward disbursement to all beneficiaries in their respective States,” he noted.
She said the Tinubu administration recognises the pivotal role that agriculture plays in achieving sustainable development and ensuring food sufficiency.
Remi noted that this explains the RHI’s commitment to supporting women farmers nationwide which aligns with the broader National agenda to strengthen the agricultural sector
The First Lady also reannounced the readiness of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to partner with the RHI in promoting women’s involvement in Agriculture.
“In a short while, the Renewed Hope Initiative will be collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to empower potential farmers.
“In this phase, 75 per cent of the beneficiaries will be young female farmers while 25 per cent will be for our young male farmers,” she explained.
According to the First Lady, the beneficiaries would be specially identified, trained and empowered even as the “pre-identified 80 women farmers in each State for our agricultural support programme will be carried along.”
At the two-in-one event, the First Lady also issued recapitalisation grants of N100,000 each to 100 People with Disabilities in Ogun State.
“All pre-selected recipients of the grant will receive the funds today, through our RHI Coordinator for Ogun State, Her Excellency, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun,” she announced.
She also informed the gathering about some of the upcoming and ongoing efforts of the RHI including the Every-Home-a-Garden Competition in which women are encouraged to plant a garden at home.
“The goal of this is to ensure food in every home, hence our slogan for this initiative is #FoodOnEveryTable.
“I encourage you all to spread the word in your communities. The winner of this competition will go home with N20m. Entries are to be submitted through the State First Ladies by October 2024.
“The best garden in the State will be selected by the State First Lady and sent to my Office, while the overall winner out of the 37 presented, representing all States of the Federation and the FCT will be announced in December 2024,” said Mrs. Tinubu.
She also announced the #One Nigeria/unity fabric competition saying, “As we are in Abeokuta, the home of rich fabrics and textile designs, I am happy to also inform you of our National Fabric Competition #ONE NIGERIA/unity fabric.”
She said the competition seeks to create an indigenous fabric that promotes peace and unifies Nigerians.
“The competition is open to all Nigerians within and outside the shores of the country within ages of 15-25 years old.
“The winner of this competition will be given a cash prize of N25m to be channelled towards his/her education or business venture as the case may be.
“Call for entries have begun and submission of entries closes on June 30, 2024. The Unity Fabric will be launched on October 1, 2024,” she explained.
Earlier, the First Lady met with traditional rulers in the State where she assured them of the President’s preparedness to bring the nation back to its enviable status.
The Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, who spoke on behalf of the monarchs applauded her interventions, adding that her home state is proud of her antecedents and contributions to national development.
On March 27, the First Lady tasked wives of all 36 state governors to nominate 100 farmers in their states for intervention projects by the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The 100 farmers would comprise 25 men and 75 women.
This followed a partnership between the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and the Renewed Hope Initiative for interventions in infrastructural and human capital development for tertiary institutions.
“You are to nominate a tertiary institution in your state, it could be Federal or State owned. The first phase of this intervention would be per zone,” said Mrs Tinubu at the quarterly meeting with Renewed Hope Initiative Zonal and State Coordinators, who are the wives of state governors.
The First Lady had also announced a partnership between the RHI and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to support 100 farmers in each State.
“They are ready to provide support to 100 farmers.
“You are to provide the 75 young women and 25 young men who are already into farming or are ready to go into farming.
“This is to encourage the youth to go into agriculture. This will help them and as well help the country,” she said.
She revealed that the Women in Agriculture Support Programme which kicked off in the Country’s Southeastern state of Imo will also hold in the other five geo-political zones with Ogun State coming up on the April 16.