by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, says the flagging-off the Renewed Hope Initiative Agricultural Support Programme for the North Central Zone is in fulfillment of their promise “to continue to promote the womenfolk per State, as we speak.”
She said, the programme is holding simultaneously in three (3) other zones, namely: North East – Borno State; North West – Kebbi State; South West – Ogun State, while that of South-South will be hosted at a later date.
She was speaking on Tuesday during the flagging-off of the programme at Government House, Little Rayfield Jos, the Plateau State capital, even as she emphasized that, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu “recognizes the pivotal role that agriculture plays in achieving sustainable development and ensuring food sufficiency.”
According to her, therefore, the Renewed Hope Initiative’s commitment to supporting women farmers nationwide aligns with the broader National agenda to strengthen the agricultural sector.
The First Lady stated that, “Today, we are supporting twenty (20) women farmers per State in the North Central 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 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.”
She further explained that, “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.
“In a short while, 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,” she explained.
These categories, she said, “will all be specially identified, trained and empowered and also, the pre-identified eighty (80) women farmers in each State for our agricultural support programme will be carried along.”
She also implored women farmers that are receiving this support today, to seize this opportunity to expand their agricultural ventures, contribute to local national food production, and serve as role models for others aspiring to join the agricultural sector.
“I am confident that this initiative will not only transform the lives of the individual beneficiaries, but also contribute to food sufficiency in the North Central Zone,” she stressed.
The First Lady equally 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 communities and nation at large.
“We have decided to have a twin event today. The Renewed Hope Initiative Social Investment Programme (RHI-SIP) will be empowering One Hundred (100) Persons with Disability Small Business Owners in Plateau State, with the sum of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000) each, to recapitalize their existing businesses. All pre-selected recipients of the grant will receive the funds today, through our RHI Coordinator for Plateau State, Barr Helen Mutfwang,” she stated.
While informing them about some of the upcoming and ongoing activities of the Renewed Hope Initiative, the First Lady added that “Our ‘Every Home a Garden’ competition for first time women farmers is still on.”
According to her, “This programme is designed to encourage our women to grow a garden in their homes. It does not cost much to grow food at home. This garden is to feed your families and share with your neighbours.
“The goal of this is to ensure food in every home; hence, our slogan for this initiative is, ‘Food-On-Every-Table,’ ” she said, and encourage them all to spread the word in their respective communities.
The First Lady assured that, “The winner of this competition will go home with Twenty Million Naira (N20,000,000). Entries are to be submitted through the State
First Ladies by October, 2024. The best garden in the State will be selected and its State First Lady will send it to my Office, while the overall winner out of the thirty-seven (37) presented, representing all States of the Federation and the FCT, will be announced in December, 2024.
“While the Young Farmers’ Club we will soon be launching the ‘Young Farmers’ Club’ in public schools across the nation, the motto of this Club is ‘Growing the Food I Eat, Starts with me,’ and the Club will be launched in State-owned Primary and Secondary Schools.
“This initiative is to encourage farming among our young population, the first school to start the Club, either Primary or Secondary, will have their members kitted with Branded Club T-Shirts and Trousers. The School with the best farm for each State would be identified, and prizes would be given to them, ranging from School renovations, equipping of School Science Laboratories, Provision of ICT equipment and upgrading of School Libraries, as their preference may be,” the First Lady stated.
Furthermore, she said, “I encourage all Public Schools to participate as soon as possible and identify students, who are interested in joining the Club.
#One Nigeria/Unity Fabric
“I am happy to also inform you of our National Fabric Competition #ONE NIGERIA/Unity Fabric. This competition seeks to create a fabric that is indigenous, promotes peace and unifies us as Nigerians.
“The competition is open to all Nigerians within and outside the shores of the country within ages of 15-25 years old. The winner of this competition will be given a cash prize of Twenty-Five Million Naira (N25,000,000) to be channeled towards his/her education or business venture, as the case may be.”
She stressed thus: “Call for entries has begun and submission of entries closes on the 30th of June, 2024. The Unity Fabric will be launched on the 1st of October, 2024. On March 28, 2024, I was made a Global and National Stop TB Champion by the Global Stop TB Partnership, Geneva.”