First Lady of Nigeria and Wife of the President Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has through her Renewed Hope Initiative Women agricultural support programme empowered 140 women farmers with N500,000 each in the six North Central States comprising of Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue, Niger, Plateau and Federal Capital Territory Abuja.
In addition to this, the wife of the President has also empowered One Hundred (100) Persons with Disability Small Business Owners in Plateau State, with the sum of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000) each to recapitalize their existing businesses, aimed at providing them with the financial means to enhance their livelihoods and contribute to their communities.
This initiative, spearheaded by Senator Oluremi Tinubu the wife of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aims to bolster the agricultural sector’s sustainability and food sufficiency.
Speaking at the occasion held on Tuesday in Jos, the First lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, said the Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme which is simultaneously holding in three other zones, is to channel financial support of 500,000 naira each to 20 women farmers per state in the North Central zone.
She said the drafts totaling 10 million naira per state are handed over to state coordinators for equitable distribution among beneficiaries.
Represented by wife of the chief of staff to the president and Member/ Director Economic Council of RHI, Mrs Salamatu Gbajabiamila, the first lady said the programme focus on diverse agricultural sectors like agrarian, animal husbandry, poultry, and fish farming adding, it emphasizes empowering young female and male farmers, Specialized training and support earmarked for 80 pre-identified women farmers in each state.
She encouraged the beneficiaries to expand their ventures and contribute to national food production and serve as role models in their communities.
She added that collaboration with the federal ministry of Agriculture is on the horizon to empower more potential farmers.
“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 programme 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 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 500,000 naira each. To this end, a draft of 10 million naira 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.
“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”; the first lady said.
She asserted that In tandem with the agricultural support program, the Renewed Hope Initiative also invests in the social sector, empowering 100 small business owners with disabilities in Plateau State with each recipient receiving 100,000 naira to bolster their businesses.
“Given the mood of today, we have decided to have a twin event. The renewed Hope initiative Social Investment program will be empowering 100 persons with disability small business owners in Plateau state with the sum of N100,000 naira each to re capitalize their existing businesses. All pre selected recipients of the grant will receive the funds today through our RHI coordinator for Plateau state, Helen Mutfwang”.
In his speech, the governor of Plateau state, Caleb Mutfwang appreciated the initiative saying, it will go a long way in alleviating the hardship of the beneficiaries.
The First Lady of Plateau Barr. Helen Mutfwang says women play a crucial role in agriculture, not only in Nigeria but around the world.
She describes women as the pillar of the agricultural sector, contributing meaningfully to food production, processing, and marketing.
According to her women in agriculture often face numerous challenges, including limited access to resources, lack of training and education, and gender-based discrimination.
She however commended the remarkable show of commitment demonstrated by the First Lady, Sen. Tinubu, saying the support will enable the women to reach their full potential and contribute to the growth and development of our agricultural sector.