The wife of the President of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, presented checks of N10 million each to the wives of governors from the six states in the South-South geopolitical zone.
This funding is intended for the distribution to 20 female farmers in each state as part of the Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme (RHI-WASP).
The disbursement ceremony took place during the flagging off of the RHI-WASP at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
According to her, the gesture was in fulfilment of her promise to continue in promoting the womenfolk, particularly farmers across the Nation.
The first lady who was represented at the event by the Vice President’s wife, Hajiya Nana Shittima, noted that currently, the programme has been successfully held in all the other five (5) geopolitical zones, namely: North Central – Plateau State; North East – Borno State; North West – Kebbi State; South East – Imo State; and South West – Ogun State.
“Today, we are flagging off the Renewed Hope Initiative Agricultural Support Programme for the South South Zone in I am delighted to be in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State for this event.
“I commend the dedication of the beneficiaries in these zones and I hope that very soon they will begin to reap bountiful harvest.
“The administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR 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 the broader National agenda to strengthen the agricultural sector.
“Today, we are supporting twenty (20) women farmers per State in the South-South Zone with the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) each. To this end, a draft of Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000) per State for the South South Zone will be handed over to the First Ladies of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers States who are also RHI State Coordinators for onward disbursement to all beneficiaries in their respective States.
“These farmers are those in the agrarian sector, animal husbandry, poultry and fish farming”. She explained.
She disclosed the plans for the program to be in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to empower potential farmers in the country.
Senator Remi noted that the first phase of the program has 75% of the beneficiaries as young female farmers while 25% will be for young male farmers.
She explained that such benefits will all be specially identified, trained and empowered, adding that the pre-identified eighty (80) women farmers in each State for the agricultural support programme 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.
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“I am confident that this initiative will not only transform the lives of the individual beneficiaries but also contribute to food sufficiency in the South-South Zone”.
She however urged 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 the communities and Nation at large.
In what she described as twin event. The Renewed Hope Initiative Social Investment Programme also empowered One Hundred (100) Persons with Disability Small Business Owners in Akwa Ibom State, with the sum of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000) each to recapitalize their existing businesses.
Speaking at the event, the host governor, Pastor Umo Eno commended the First Lady, for the humanitarian disposition of the Renewed Hope Initiative, recalling that through the programme, vulnerable groups all over the nation, were given financial empowerment.
“I recalled how impressed we were when she came here to empower 250 elders with 100 thousand naira each and we told her we would support her initiative by launching our own ‘Arise Initiative for the Elderly’, which we did.
“Every month, elders, especially the vulnerable ones drawn from each of the 368 wards in the state are given 50 thousand naira to take care of their needs, especially food and medicals.
“Today, we are gathered here, again, to launch this great initiative for the South-South region. As our nation grapples with challenging economic environment, leading to the skyrocketing prices of our staple food items, support such as this, given to our farmers is highly welcome and I commend the First Lady for her vision!
“On our part, even though we have temporarily intervened with our Arise Free Voucher Food programme through our Bulk Purchase Agency, the solution, we have always maintained is for our people to return to the farm.
He informed the First Lady that to make the idea of return to farm work, his administration has declared that every first and third Friday of the month, “Farming work free days”.
“We are to return to the farms and ensure food security for all, The Ministry of Agriculture has been directed to provide seedlings to farmers and so far, we are thrilled by the interest shown by our young people in farming.
“We have also taken the interest of the people living with disabilities very seriously. One of the first set of appointments I made was that of a Special Assistant to the Governor for students living with disabilities and another, for other people living with the same problem. We had also gone ahead to institute a 100 million Naira grant for students living with disabilities. So far, we have paid 250 thousand and 350 thousand respectively to undergraduates and postgraduate students living with disabilities”, Eno informed.
In her welcome address, the wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Patience Umo Eno expressed appreciation to the President’s wife for the initiative saying it will unlock their full potential, increase food security and boost economic growth in rural communities.
“As we all know, women in agriculture often face numerous challenges including limited access to resources, land and education. By empowering these crops of women, we can unlock their full potential, increase food security and boost economic growth in rural communities.
“Also, individuals with disabilities make valuable contributions in business and other fields, hence the need to create inclusive opportunities for them to participate fully in economic activities, receive proper training and access support to overcome barriers.
“This is exactly what RHI seeks to achieve with this social investment programme”.
She commended the Nation’s First Lady, for empowering women in agriculture and supporting individuals with disabilities, a development that she says promotes equality and leads to innovation and diversity.
Pastor Patience Eno advised all the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the funds received, to expand on their existing ventures.
“As First Ladies, we will key into the many laudable initiatives of the Renewed Hope Initiative bordering on Education, Health, Economic Empowerment, Social Investment and Agriculture; as well as leverage on the already established structures provided, to touch more lives in the South-South Zone.
“As a state and with the approval and support of my dear husband, we had keyed into the RHI Elderly Support Programme with the establishment of the Arise Initiative For the Elderly where about 1,200 senior citizens have so far benefitted”, She promised.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
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