In line with ongoing efforts to support women and youth farmers to produce food and earn incomes, the Nigerian first lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu has flagged off the Renewed Hope Initiative in Owerri, the Imo state Capital, South Eastern Nigeria.
The Renewed Hope Initiative birthed by the First Lady is a grassroots scheme designed for the betterment of Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
The scheme that aims at empowering women-farmers and tackling poverty was flagged-off in conjunction with the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA).
The event brought dignitaries from all walks of life, including the wife of the Vice-President, Hajia Nana Shettima, as well as the wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, wives of all the southeast State Governors, wife of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mrs. Salamatu Gbajabiamila, wives of service chiefs among other women leaders.
Also, in attendance were traditional rulers, industrialists, women cooperative groups, stakeholders, and beneficiaries of the scheme from all the South-east states.
The Nigerian First Lady Mrs. Tinubu, in her address said “the Renewed Hope Initiative’s commitment to supporting women farmers aligns with a broader national agenda to strengthen the agricultural sector.”
She asserted that the President Tinubu administration recognizes the pivotal role that agriculture plays in achieving sustainable development and ensuring food sufficiency.
To this end, she stressed that the initiative is a 2-in-1 programme to support women-farmers nationwide.
The First Lady explained that the initiative will support 20 women-farmers per state with the sum of N500,000 each, making it a total of 10 million Naira per state.
Bank Drafts
Mrs. Tinubu presented bank drafts of ten million naira each to the South-east First Ladies.
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NALDA, Prince Paul Ikonne, in his speech, said NALDA was committed to partnering with the First Lady in encouraging women, especially the young ones, in agribusiness.
He assured the First Lady that NALDA will go with her all the way across the country to make sure they touch the lives of the people.
“NALDA has made provision for two million women under this programme, supporting and working with the wife of the President,” he said.
In her welcome address, the First Lady of Imo State, Barrister (Mrs.) Chioma Uzodimma, and zonal chairman South-east, Renewed Hope Initiative, appreciated the President and the First Lady for their support and commitment towards the success of the initiative, noting that it signifies a profound commitment to the empowerment and upliftment of women across the nation.
“As we all know, the empowerment of women fuels the progress and building of a more inclusive, prosperous community,”
Agricultural Inputs
The highlight of the event was the showcase of the different agricultural inputs, which were later distributed to the beneficiaries from the South-east.
Beneficiaries of the scheme, numbering 200, were provided with a kit that consists of maize seeds, liquid fertilisers, and herbicides enough to cater for one hectare of maize farm.
The total targeted hectarage for this particular group is 200 hectares.
Another group of 200 beneficiaries got 25, two weeks old poultry birds, one battery cage, and three bags of feeds that would last till the birds mature.
Shakirat Sadiq
