Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of Nigeria’s President, recently disbursed cheques worth N10 million to 120 selected women farmers in each of the six South-West states.
The initiative, part of the Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme, aims to address the challenges of food security while promoting gender equality and sustainable development.
During the launch ceremony held at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, Mrs. Tinubu reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to empowering women for sustainable development. She emphasized the importance of supporting women farmers and announced additional cash grants of N100,000 each for 100 people living with disabilities in Ogun State. Mrs. Tinubu highlighted the administration’s dedication to promoting women’s empowerment, particularly in the agricultural sector, across the nation.
The Renewed Hope Initiative’s Women Agricultural Support Programme aligns with the broader agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to strengthen the agricultural sector and ensure food sufficiency. Mrs. Tinubu noted that the initiative simultaneously launched in Plateau, Borno, and Kebbi states, covering the North Central, North East, and North West geopolitical zones, respectively. The distribution of grants aims to support women engaged in various agricultural activities, including farming, poultry, and animal husbandry.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Tinubu urged the women farmers to leverage the support received to expand their entrepreneurial ventures, increase their contribution to national food production, and inspire aspiring female farmers across the country. The initiative targets 20 women per state in the South-West, providing them with N500,000 each to enhance their farming endeavors. Draft cheques totaling N10 million per state will be handed over to the respective first ladies serving as coordinators of the programme for efficient disbursement to beneficiaries.
Acknowledging the initiative’s impact, Governor Dapo Abiodun commended Mrs. Tinubu for her exemplary leadership and dedication to improving the lives of women and the less privileged. The Governor praised the Women Agricultural Support Programme as a testament to the visionary leadership of the First Lady and its potential to boost food production and prosperity among women farmers in the region.
Similarly, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, the wife of the Ogun State Governor, expressed gratitude to Mrs. Tinubu for her unwavering commitment to uplifting women and persons with disabilities through the Renewed Hope Initiative. Mrs. Abiodun emphasized the positive impact of such initiatives on women’s prosperity and national food production. She called on the public to rally behind efforts to support people living with disabilities and improve their quality of life.
The Women Agricultural Support Programme represents a significant step towards promoting gender equality, empowering women in agriculture, and enhancing food security across Nigeria. By providing financial assistance to women farmers and persons with disabilities, the initiative aims to create sustainable livelihoods, strengthen rural economies, and foster inclusive growth. As Nigeria strives towards achieving its agricultural development goals, initiatives like the Renewed Hope Initiative play a crucial role in realizing the nation’s potential as an agricultural powerhouse.
