The Renewed Hope Initiative, a social intervention programme of the First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, is set to give at least 120 women from the six Southwest states the sum of N60 million.
Mrs. Tinubu, mare this known on Tuesday at the launch of the Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme for the south west and flag off of the 2024 Ogun State Planting Season, held at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, the state capital
She equally said that N10 million would be given to 100 persons with disability to capitalize their existing businesses.
“Today, we are supporting 20 women farmers per state with the sum of N500,000 each. To this end, a draft of N10 million per state for the South West zone will be handed over to the first ladies of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo states who are the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) state coordinators for onward disbursement to all beneficiaries in their respective states.
“The Renewed Hope Initiative Social Investment Programme will be empowering 100 persons with disability, small business owners in Ogun State with a sum of N100,000 each to recapitalise their existing businesses,” she said.
Senator Tinubu noted that the Renewed Hope Initiative would be partnering with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to empower farmers, adding that 75% of the beneficiaries who will be young female farmers and 25% young male farmers would be specially identified, trained and empowered under the program.
Noting that the pre-identified 80 women farmers in each state for agricultural support program would be carried along, Mrs Tinubu called on women farmers to advantage of the opportunity to expand their agricultural ventures and contribute to local and national food production.
“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% of the beneficiaries will be young female farmers while 25% will be for young male farmers. They will all be specially identified, trained and empowered.
“I want to implore our women farmers receiving support today to seize this opportunity to expand their agricultural ventures, contribute to local and national food production and serve as role models for others aspiring to join the agricultural sector,” she added.
Remarking, the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, had earlier said that his administration through the Oko’owo Dapo scheme has assisted over 50,000 women to grow their businesses with additional funding from the Federal Government’s Nigeria for Women Project.
Abiodun went further that the total investment of the scheme now stands at about N1.5billion, noting thst the Ogun Broiler Empowerment Scheme through which day old chicks were given to women and broilers taken from them every 90 days, have also empowered over 500 women agric entrepreneurs.
Abiodun who noted that his administration has also launched Ibi-Dero, an initiative specifically targeted at pregnant indigent women for pre-natal delivery, post-natal and neo-natal care free of charge, affirmed that his goverment has succeeded in reducing Maternal and Child Mortality Rate in the state.
He disclosed that his administration has prioritized the welfare and empowerment of women due to their population, stating that his government has also implemented programmes aimed at boost the status of women by including them in politics, governance and economic activities as well as providing education for girls.
Abiodun stated further that the Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme, holds a special resonance as it reflects the resilience and tenacity of women in the state and the South West, adding that the spirit of women is integral to driving agricultural innovation and economic growth.
He noted that that the Renewed Hope Initiative program represent the committment of his administration to uplift women farmers, fortifying the agricultural framework and aligning with the sustainable development goals to ensure food security and sufficiency, adding that investing in women extends beyond moral obligations.
The Frst Lady and the state coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative in Ogun State, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, earlier explained that the Initiative is to celebrate and empower women in agriculture, commending the first lady for sponsoring students with interest in agriculture to Belarus for more studies.
She pointed out that supporting women in agriculture in the state would help to improve the agriculture value chain, stating that the discrimination against people with disabilities would soon end with the determination of Senator Oluremi Tinubu to make the required difference.
The South West Zonal Coordinator for the Renewed Hope Initiative and wife of the Oyo State Governor, Mrs.Tamunominini Olufunke Makinde, remarked that the support program would assist women in agriculture thereby improving the agriculture sector of the states, urging the beneficiaries to use the support judiciously.
