By Golok Nanmwa, Jos
First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu on Tuesday said that the administration of President Bola Tinubu, recognizes the pivotal role that agriculture plays in achieving sustainable development and ensuring food sufficiency.
She also added that hence her pet project the Renewed Hope Initiative is commitment to supporting women farmers nationwide to strengthen the agricultural sector.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu made this known while speaking in Jos during the launch of the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI Women Agricultural Support Programme for the North Central Geopolitical zone where she doled out the sum of N500,000 each to 20 women farmers per State in the North Central Zone.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu who was represented by Mrs. Salamatu Gbajabiamila, the wife of the Chief of Staff to the President and RHI Director on Economic Empowerment noted that the project is in fulfillment of the promise to promote women and urged the women to seize the 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.
In her words, “I am here in Jos, Plateau State for the North Central Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme (RHI-WASP). ”
On the 28th of February, 2024, we were in the South East Zone in Imo State for the maiden edition of this programme. I commend the dedication of the beneficiaries in the zone and it is my hope that very soon they will begin to reap bountiful harvest.
“Today, we are flagging off the Renewed Hope Initiative Agricultural Support Programme for the North Central Zone in fulfillment of our promise to continue to promote the womenfolk.
The administration of President Bola Tinubu, recognizes the pivotal role that agriculture plays in achieving sustainable development and ensuring food sufficiency.
“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 20 women farmers per State in the North Central Zone with the sum of N500, 000 each. To this end, a draft of N10,000,000 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.
“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”, she said.
However, 100 Persons Living with Disabilities who are operating small businesses in Plateau State were given a grant of N100, 000 each through the Renewed Hope Initiative Social Investment Programme (RHI-SIP) to recapitalize their existing businesses.
The Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang who received the First Lady with her entourage who included the RHI Coordinators in the zone commended the initiative and stressed that, “Women have been the backbone of agriculture and if not for women, several homes would have scattered.”
Speaking earlier in her remark, the First Lady of Plateau State, Helen Mutfwang through the State Commissioner of Higher Education, Kachollom Gang commended Senator Tinubu for the support saying it will enable the women to reach their full potential and contribute to the growth and development of the agricultural sector.
