The Nigerian First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, inaugurated her Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme in the South-South geopolitical zone of the country on Tuesday, May 7.

Inaugurating the scheme at the Government Banquet Hall, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Mrs Tinubu explained that the programme, which has been held in other geopolitical zones in the country, would empower 20 women each from the six states in the south-south region with a sum of N500,000 per beneficiary.

The First Lady, who was represented at the event by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, explained that 75 per cent of the beneficiaries of the scheme are young females who are mainly into animal husbandry, poultry and fish farming.

According to her: “Today, we are supporting 20 women farmers per state in the South South Zone with the sum of N500,000 each. To this end, a draft of N10,000,000 per state for the South South Zone will be handed over to the first ladies of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers states, who are also RHI state coordinators for onward disbursement to all beneficiaries in their respective states.

“These farmers are those in the agrarian sector, animal husbandry, poultry and fish farming. In a short while, the Renewed Hope Initiative will be collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to empower potential farmers. In this phase, 75 per cent of the beneficiaries will be young female farmers, while 25 per cent will be our young male farmers.”

Similarly, the First Lady further announced that 100 persons living with disabilities who are in small-scale businesses would each receive the sum of N100,000 to boost their businesses.

Addressing the beneficiaries and guests, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, commended the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for her humanitarian disposition, where vulnerable groups across the nation are beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope Initiative.

He noted that the government of Akwa Ibom State has taken steps to adopt the laudable programmes in the state. Worthy of note, the governor stated, is the ARISE Initiative for the Elderly, ARISE free voucher food programme from the Bulk Purchasing Agency, among others.

‘Today we are gathered here again to launch this great initiative for the south-south region. As our nation grapples with a challenging economic environment leading to the skyrocketing prices of food, this programme will help support our farming population and ensure that we get back to the farm,” he said.

The governor also noted that to ensure food sufficiency for all, the first and third Fridays of every month have been declared farm days in the state.

Earlier in her welcome address, the wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, who is also the state coordinator for the Renewed Hope Initiative, said that women in agriculture often face numerous challenges, including limited access to resources, land and education. She also posited that empowering women will help unlock their full potential, increase food security and boost economic growth in rural communities.

Pastor Patience Eno, who thanked Senator Oluremi Tinubu for also reaching out to empower the physically challenged constituency in the state, noted that individuals with disabilities make valuable contributions in business and other fields, hence the need to create inclusive opportunities for them to participate fully in economic activities, receive proper training and access support to overcome barriers.

In a goodwill message, the Zonal Chairman, RHI South-South Zone, and the First Lady of Bayelsa State, Dr Gloria Diri, applauded Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her deliberate efforts to change the narratives in the six geo-political zones through various empowerment programmes for women, youths, children and the elderly, cutting across political lines and affiliations, and reiterating their resolve to replicate programmes that will impact positively on humanity.