The First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu, recently unveiled two significant initiatives aimed at fostering agricultural development and promoting unity within the nation.
The first initiative, dubbed the North Central Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme (RHI-WASP), was launched during an event held in Jos, Plateau State.
Senator Tinubu announced the accompanying National Fabric Competition, themed #ONE NIGERIA/unity fabric, as part of efforts to create a fabric that encapsulates indigenous identity, promotes peace, and symbolizes unity among Nigerians.
This competition is open to all Nigerians aged between 15 and 25, regardless of their location, with a generous cash prize of Twenty-Five Million Naira (N25,000,000) awaiting the winner.
The prize is intended to support the winner’s education or business venture. The call for entries has commenced, and submissions will be accepted until the 30th of June, 2024.
The Unity Fabric, crafted from the winning design, is scheduled to be unveiled on the 1st of October, 2024.
Senator Tinubu emphasized the importance of supporting women in agriculture, highlighting the critical role they play in national development.
Under the Renewed Hope Initiative Agricultural Support Programme for the North Central Zone, the administration pledged to support twenty women farmers per State with Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) each.
“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. The draft for the beneficiaries in Benue State and the FCT will be received by their Respective RHI Coordinators.”
This financial assistance, totaling Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000) per State, will be disbursed through the First Ladies of Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau states, who also serve as RHI State Coordinators.
The support extends to various sectors within agriculture, including agrarian farming, animal husbandry, poultry, and fish farming.
Senator Tinubu underscored the focus on empowering young female farmers, with 75% of the beneficiaries earmarked for them, while the remaining 25% will support young male farmers.
The initiative aims to identify, train, and empower these farmers, fostering their growth and contribution to food production at both local and national levels.
Furthermore, collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture is anticipated to broaden the scope of support, reaching more potential farmers across the nation.
The initiative also includes provisions for the inclusion of disabled individuals, recognizing their barriers to economic empowerment and social inclusion.
By offering financial assistance and skill development opportunities, the initiative seeks to enable disabled individuals to lead self-reliant and fulfilling lives, actively contributing to society.
During the event, the First Lady of Plateau State, Barrister Mrs. Helen Muftwang, commended Senator Tinubu’s commitment to gender equality, inclusivity, and economic empowerment.
“Similarly, disabled individuals in our society also face significant barriers to economic empowerment and social inclusion. Again, the First Lady of the nation took it upon herself to provide them with the necessary support and resources to live fulfilling and productive lives. By offering financial assistance and opportunities for skill development, she has helped disabled individuals become self-reliant and active members of society”.
She emphasized the significance of such support in enabling women to fulfill their potential and contribute to agricultural growth and development.
Additionally, she urged all nominees and beneficiaries to utilize the resources effectively, ensuring tangible impact and visibility of the initiative’s outcomes.
