The Wife of the President Senator Oluremi Tinubu flagged off the Renewed Hope Initiative for the South East to support 20 smallholder women farmers with N500,000 each.
The First Lady while flagging off the initiative in conjunction with the National Agricultural Land Development Agency (NALDA) in Owerri, Imo state stressed that the aim was to support women and youth farmers to produce food and earn incomes.
She explained that the initiative will support 20 women farmers per state with the sum of N500,000 each making it a total of N10 million per state.
Tinubu stated that the Renewed Hope Initiative’s commitment to support women farmers aligns with a broader national agenda to strengthen the agricultural sector saying the administration recognize the pivotal role that agriculture plays in achieving sustainable development and ensuring food sufficiency.
The Executive Secretary of NALDA, Prince Paul Ikonne, revealed through the initiative, that the authority was supporting two million women farmers across the country.
He said about 200 beneficiaries of the program in the South East would be provided with a kit that consists of Maize seeds, Liquid fertilisers and herbicides enough to cater for one hectare of maize farm.
Ikonne said another group of 200 beneficiaries were given 25, 2 weeks old poultry birds, one battery cage and three bags of feeds that would last till the birds mature.
Wife of the Imo State Governor, (Mrs.) Chioma Uzodimma, commended 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 nation.
“As we all know, the empowerment of women fuels the progress and building of a more inclusive, prosperous community.”
The event brought dignitaries from all walks of life, including the wife of the Vice-President, Hajia Nana Shettima, as well as the wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, wives of all the southeast State Governors, wife of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mrs. Salamatu Gbajabiamila, wives of Service Chiefs among other women leaders.
Also in attendance were traditional rulers, industrialists, women cooperatives groups, stakeholders and beneficiaries of the scheme from all the South-east states.
