Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, officially launched the Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme in the South-South geopolitical zone on Tuesday, May 7. The event took place at the Government Banquet Hall, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
During the inauguration, Mrs. Tinubu disclosed that the program aims to empower 20 women from each of the six states in the South-South region with a grant of N500,000 per beneficiary. The beneficiaries, she noted, are primarily involved in animal husbandry, poultry, and fish farming, with 75% being young females.
Represented by Hajia Nana Shettima, the wife of the Vice President, the First Lady explained, “Today, we are supporting 20 women farmers per state in the South South Zone with the sum of N500,000 each. A total of N10,000,000 per state will be handed over to the first ladies of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers states for onward disbursement.”
Furthermore, she announced that the scheme will collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to empower more farmers, with a focus on young female farmers. Additionally, she revealed plans to provide N100,000 to 100 persons living with disabilities to boost their small-scale businesses.
In his address to the beneficiaries and guests, Governor Pastor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State praised Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her philanthropic efforts and highlighted the government’s commitment to adopting similar initiatives. He also emphasized the importance of supporting agriculture to combat food insecurity in the face of economic challenges.
The Governor disclosed that farm days have been designated on the first and third Fridays of every month to promote food sufficiency in the state. This initiative aligns with other state programs aimed at improving the welfare of vulnerable groups, such as the ARISE Initiative for the Elderly and the ARISE free voucher food programme.
Addressing the audience earlier, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, the wife of the Akwa Ibom State Governor and state coordinator for the Renewed Hope Initiative, highlighted the challenges faced by women in agriculture and the need for empowerment to unlock their potential. She also emphasized the importance of inclusive opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate fully in economic activities.
In a goodwill message, Dr. Gloria Diri, the Zonal Chairman of RHI South-South Zone and the First Lady of Bayelsa State, commended Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her impactful empowerment programs across the country, emphasizing the positive impact on different segments of society irrespective of political affiliations.