A statement from Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, revealed that her Renewed Hope Initiative is empowering a total of 280 women farmers and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) with a sum of N100m.
In different states such as Plateau, Borno, Kebbi, Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo, twenty women farmers were given N500,000 each, while 100 PWDs located in Ogun State are set to receive N100,000 each.
During the launch of the Renewed Hope Initiative Agricultural Support Programme held in Ogun State for the southwest region, Mrs. Tinubu emphasized that the initiative targets farmers in various fields like agrarian sector, animal husbandry, poultry, and fish farming.
Details of the initiative were disclosed in a statement titled ‘Nigeria’s first lady’s renewed hope initiative, supports women farmers’ signed by Mrs. Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady’s Senior Special Assistant on Media.
The First Lady affirmed that the launch on Tuesday fulfills her commitment to continue advocating for the advancement of women, particularly farmers, throughout Nigeria.
The program, concurrently conducted in Plateau, Borno, and Kebbi, will involve training for the 180 women farmers in areas such as produce preservation and cultivation.
“Today, we are providing support to 20 women farmers per State in the South West Zone with N500,000 each.
“Consequently, an amount of N10,000,000 per State has been earmarked for the South West Zone to be handed over to the First Ladies of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo States, who also serve as RHI State Coordinators for onward disbursement to all beneficiaries in their respective States,” it was stated.
The significance of agriculture in attaining sustainable development and food sufficiency has been acknowledged by the Tinubu administration, as Mrs. Remi highlighted the commitment of RHI in supporting women farmers nationwide to align with the broader national agenda of strengthening the agricultural sector.
The First Lady also reiterated the willingness of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to collaborate with RHI in promoting women’s participation in Agriculture.
“Soon, the Renewed Hope Initiative will partner with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to empower potential farmers.
“In this phase, 75% of the beneficiaries will be young female farmers, while 25% will be allocated to young male farmers,” she elaborated.
The beneficiaries, including the pre-identified 80 women farmers in each State for the agricultural support program, will undergo special identification, training, and empowerment,” she added.
At the dual-purpose event, the First Lady also disbursed recapitalization grants of N100,000 each to 100 People with Disabilities in Ogun State.
“All selected recipients of the grant will receive the funds through our RHI Coordinator for Ogun State, Her Excellency, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun,” she announced.
Mrs. Tinubu also highlighted some upcoming and ongoing initiatives by RHI, such as the Every Home a Garden Competition, encouraging women to cultivate a garden at home.
“The objective is to ensure food security in every household, reflecting our initiative’s motto #FoodOnEveryTable.
“I urge you all to disseminate this information in your communities. The winner of this competition stands a chance to win N20m. Submission of entries to the State First Ladies is open until October 2024.
“The best garden in each State will be selected by the State First Lady and forwarded to my Office. The overall winner, chosen from the 37 presented gardens representing all States of the Federation and the FCT, will be announced in December 2024,” mentioned Mrs. Tinubu.
Introducing the #One Nigeria/unity fabric competition, Mrs. Tinubu stated, “Given that we are in Abeokuta, renowned for its rich fabrics and textile designs, I am pleased to announce our National Fabric Competition #ONE NIGERIA/unity fabric.”
The competition aims to develop an indigenous fabric that promotes peace and unity among Nigerians.
“The competition is open to all Nigerians within the age bracket of 15-25 years, both within and outside the country.
“A cash prize of N25m will be awarded to the competition winner for education or business ventures. Entries are being accepted until June 30, 2024, with the Unity Fabric slated for launch on October 1, 2024,” she detailed.
Prior to this, the First Lady engaged with traditional rulers in the State, assuring them of the President’s commitment to restoring the nation’s esteemed status.
Speaking on behalf of the monarchs, the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, commended her interventions, expressing pride in her contributions to national development as a representative of her home state.
On March 27, the First Lady tasked the wives of all 36 state governors to nominate 100 farmers for intervention projects by the Renewed Hope Initiative, comprising 25 men and 75 women.
This directive followed a collaboration between the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and the Renewed Hope Initiative for interventions in infrastructural and human capital development in tertiary institutions.
“Nominate a tertiary institution in your state, whether Federal or State-owned. The initial phase of this intervention will be conducted per zone,” as reiterated by Mrs. Tinubu during a quarterly meeting with Renewed Hope Initiative Zonal and State Coordinators, who are the wives of state governors.
The partnership announcement between RHI and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to aid 100 farmers in each State was also made.
“They are prepared to support 100 farmers.
“You are required to nominate the 75 young female and 25 young male farmers already engaged or willing to venture into farming.
“This initiative aims to encourage youth participation in agriculture, benefitting both them and the nation,” she emphasized.
Furthermore, Mrs. Remi disclosed that the Women in Agriculture Support Programme, commenced in Imo State of the Southeast, will be extended to the remaining five geo-political zones, with Ogun State scheduled for April 16.