James Emejo in Abuja
Nigerian First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, yesterday flagged off the Renewed Hope Initiative in Owerri, Imo State, in collaboration with the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) in a bid to tackle poverty and empower rural women and youths.
The intervention covers all five states in the South-east geo-political zone-Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.
The initiative, birthed by Tinubu, is a grassroots scheme designed for the betterment of Nigerians, particularly youths and women-farmers across the six geopolitical zones to tackle poverty.
She said the programme’s commitment to supporting women farmers aligned with a broader national agenda to strengthen the agriculture sector.
The first lady said the President Bola Tinubu–led administration recognises the pivotal role that agriculture plays in achieving sustainable development and ensuring food sufficiency.
Presenting bank drafts to beneficiaries, the first lady said the initiative would support 20 women farmers from each state with the sum of N500,000 – amounting to N10 million per state. That translates to N50 million in the total financial package for the region and N300 million across the six geo-political zones.
The dignitaries, who graced the ceremony included the wife of the Vice-President, Hajia Nana Shettima; wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio; wives of all the South-east state governors; wife of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mrs. Salamatu Gbajabiamila; wives of Service Chiefs among other women leaders.
Others included traditional rulers, industrialists, women cooperative groups, stakeholders, and beneficiaries of the scheme from all the geo-political zones.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive, NALDA, Prince Paul Ikonne, said the authority was committed to partnering the first lady in encouraging women, especially the young ones, in agribusiness.
He assured Mrs. Tinubu that NALDA would join hands with she to impact the lives of Nigerians across the country, adding that about two million women will be impacted under the scheme.
According to him, “NALDA has made provision for two million women under this programme, supporting and working with the wife of the president.”
In her welcome address, the First Lady of Imo State/Zonal Chairman, South-east, Renewed Hope Initiative, Mrs. Chioma Uzodimma, 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 country.
She said: “As we all know, the empowerment of women fuels the progress and building of a more inclusive, prosperous community.”
The highlight of the event was the showcase of the different agricultural inputs which were later distributed to about 200 beneficiaries.
They were provided with kits consisting of maize seeds, liquid fertilizers, and herbicides enough to cater for one hectare of maize farm. The total targeted hectare for the group was 200 hectares.
Another group of 200 beneficiaries got 25 two-week-old poultry birds, one battery cage, and three bags of feeds that would last till the birds mature.
