Tinubu’s wife empowers 200 Anambra farmers

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, under the Renewed Hope Initiative Agenda, empowered no less than 200 farmers.

The beneficiaries include women and youths across various communities of Anambra State, with agricultural items to support their livelihoods and farming activities and boost food production.

The agricultural tools include farm implements, feed processors, grinding machines, seedlings and other items necessary to help the beneficiaries on the farm.

Speaking during the presentation of the items at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, on Wednesday, Oluremi Tinubu said the gesture was part of the “Renewed Hope Agricultural Support Programme” of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Tinubu, who was represented at the event by the Anambra State First Lady, Dr Nonye Soludo, said the exercise was significant in various reasons, such as having a greater impact on the lives of the beneficiaries, their families, the community, the state and the country at large.

While urging the beneficiaries not to sell the items but to use them to better their lives, the First Lady reminded them that they have been trained on feed processing, vegetable farming, drip irrigation installation, and piggery, and each of these trainings offers them a platform to learn, develop, and become financially sustained.

According to her, the beneficiaries are expected to not just become employed through the exercise but ultimately lead a network of people who will find an exemplary impact from their businesses.

She said, “This event is significant for two reasons. First is that after today, your life would have had a greater impact—one that will not only benefit you, but benefit your family, community, Anambra State, and our dear country at large.

“Secondly, you have passed through a comprehensive training period that prepares you for this important moment. Each one of you was selected through a transparent, random process.

“The Renewed Hope Agriculture Support Programme is a medium-scale agro-support initiative that targets individuals who have the right passion to venture into lucrative agro-businesses. You all have been trained in different departments, including feed processing, vegetable farming, drip irrigation installation, and piggery. Each of these training areas offers you a platform to learn, develop, and become financially sustained.

“We were keenly intentional with every process leading up to this phase. Following up strictly on the programme directive, as has been instructed by the First Lady, we have ensured that every one of you who will leave here today is going home with something worth the wait.

“We have trained you. Now, it is your turn to train others. Like that, we can end unemployment and poverty, build financial independence, create better income platforms, raise financial growth, and grow our economy.”

She explained that the selection criteria for the programme were carefully run through to ensure equal representation across the board, adding that from different women groups, youth organisations, political associations, and school clubs, they brought together a complete group of like-minded individuals who are driven by the foundational goals of the programme and are keen to make a difference through its rewards.

“The president’s wife is super proud of your tenacity, commitment, belief, and sacrifice. I am impressed by your zeal, brilliance, and passion. We are so, so proud of you.

“Today, you all will be heading home with rewards of your passion. Nothing could be as deserved as that. You have given this programme your all – time, energy, attention, trust, name it? Today, the gains are right here before you.

“Economic empowerment remains a core objective of the Renewed Hope Initiative and we have consistently delivered on this promise for both women and youth across the six geopolitical zones to support the economic reforms of the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

“We recognise that empowering women and youths economically is not just a moral imperative, but a strategic one. When women and youth thrive, their families thrive, and by extension, our communities and the nation prosper.

“As you go back home today with these valuable items, I urge you to make the best use of them. You have been empowered for a particular purpose, and we expect you to make that purpose count. What you are going home with today is not to be sold or used for something different from the objectives of the programme. So you must use them wisely and work harder to make the best benefits from them,” she added.

Earlier in his remarks, the state commissioner for agriculture, Dr Foster Ihejiofor, noted that agriculture is not about feeding people alone but shaping the future of the country.

Ihejiofor stressed that as stakeholders are putting effort into curbing the challenges of food security, incessant intervention will be the key to unravelling the challenges.

He said the ministry under his watch is ready to support needed interventions for youths and women to flourish in agriculture, noting that empowering young farmers with the right knowledge, skills, and resources will cultivate the general growth of food security, poverty reduction and economic viability.