RHI: Harvest of bounties as Ogun hosts Remi Tinubu, Govs’ wives

It was, as the Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, quipped, the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu’s first official visit to the state, and probably the first by a sitting First Lady in the last 25 years. The occasion was the launching of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Agricultural Support Programme for Women and People Living with Disability (South-West), and the roll call was massive, with the crème de la crème of Nigerian women present, lauding the warm reception Governor Abiodun and his wife, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, gave them.

Present were the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Ekaette Akpabio, Ogun deputy governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele; the wife of the governor of Lagos, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and the wife of his deputy, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat.

They were joined by the first ladies of Ekiti (Dr Olayemi Oyebanji), Osun (Mrs Titilola Adeleke), Bayelsa (Dr Gloria Diri), Edo (Mrs Betty Obaseki), Imo (Barrister Chioma Uzodinma), and the wives of the service chiefs.

There was the wife of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Mrs Bola Obasanjo; the deputy speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon Bolanle Ajayi, among others.

Speaking on the occasion, the Ogun First Lady and state Coordinator of the RHI, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, described the initiative as a social investment programme which guarantees that PLWD can continue to be productive members of the society, contributing to the Nigerian economy and doing their part in nation building. Then she spoke words that reverberated across the hall, touching on the core of the advocacy for people with reduced mobility or people living with disability: “When you speak to many PLWDs, all they are asking for is a chance to work, and to be treated with dignity.” She thanked the First Lady for making the difference, and “our distinguished partners for their support and participation.”

Also speaking on the occasion, the South-West coordinator of the RHI, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde, appreciated all the beneficiaries of the agric support programme, applauding Senator Tinubu for the great initiative of “female farming.” According to her, the support programme “will undoubtedly go a long way to assist our women in enlarging their farming capacities, thereby enhancing food production in Nigeria. Right now as we speak, there’s a program going on in Lagos under this initiative, an ICT training program for women, so that women’s capacity can be able to carry what is coming ahead.”

And then it was the turn of the chief host, Prince Dapo Abiodun. “Ogun proudly displays an array of former deputy governors that are women. We are a gender-sensitize state,” the governor declared, acknowledging the presence of former deputy governors of the state, Alhaja Salamot Badru and Mrs Yetunde Onanuga, as well as the wives of former governors, including Mrs Olufunke Daniel; the wife of former Osun governor, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola, and the wife of former Kebbi governor, Mrs Aisha Bagudu, wives of honourable ministers, and members of the Ogun Executive Council.

He did not fail to appreciate the royal majesties whose presence added luster to the occasion, including Oba (Dr) Babatunde Ajayi, the Akarigbo of Remoland; Oba (Dr) Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Alake of Egbaland; Oba (Dr) Kehinde Olugbenle, the Olu of Ilaro; Oba (Dr) Sikiru Adetona, Awujale of Ijebuland, represented by Olori Kemi Adetona. He also lauded market leaders.

According to him, the RHI is “an exemplary initiative of the First Lady.” Her steadfast dedication and commitment across the epochs of our democracy, he averred, is well documented and admired.

Governor Abiodun lauded Mrs Tinubu’s “transformative tenure as First Lady of Lagos, formidable presence in the chambers of the National Assembly and now her nurturing influence, steadfastness and focus as Nigeria’s mother,” saying that her contributions are a testament to her visionary leadership.

Pointing out the significance of the occasion, Governor Abiodun said: “Today, we stand at a milestone juncture, affirming our commitment to the agriculture sector and gender empowerment within the South-West region. The Renewed Hope Initiative symbolizes our determination to uplift women farmers, fortify the agricultural framework, and align with the sustainable development goals to ensure food security and sufficiency. Let us recognize that investing in women extends beyond a moral obligation; it is a strategic investment in the fabric of our nation’s future. Today’s agenda is a reflection of this fabric and in tandem with our mother’s favourite quote: when you empower a woman, you empower a nation.”

The governor noted that in the past four years, his administration had prioritized the empowerment of women, rolling out programmes to boost their status by including them in politics, governance and business activities, as well as providing education for girls.

He averred that through Okowo Dapo programme, over 50,000 women had grown their businesses, indicating that “the total investment stands at about N1.5bn.” He mentioned a catalogue of women-empowering schemes, including the Ogun broiler empowerment scheme. He also itemized the interventions in the health sector, including the Ibidero programme targeted at pregnant indigent women, and which had successfully reduced maternal/child mortality in the state.

During her turn, the First Lady surveyed the huge crowd and beamed with smiles, acknowledging the massive support the programme had received from far and wide, and lauding the determination of the wives of the service chiefs to attend the programme despite facing weather turbulence and having to land in Lagos instead of Abeokuta. She said: “Today, we are flagging off the Renewed Hope Agricultural Support Programme for the South-West zone in fulfillment of our promise to support the female folk, particularly farmers across the nation. As we speak, this programme is holding simultaneously in three other zones, namely North Central (Plateau), North-East (Bornu State) and North-West (Kebbi State) while the South-South will be hosted at a later date.”

The Tinubu administration, she contended, “recognizes the pivotal role that agriculture plays in achieving sustainable development and ensuring food sufficiency.” Therefore, she said, “the Renewed Hope Initiative’s commitment to supporting women farmers nationwide aligns with the broader national agenda to strengthen the agricultural sector.”

Mrs Tinubu then rolled out her initiatives, including supporting 20 women per state with N500, 000 each, a scheme for which a draft cheque of N10m each was handed over to the South-West First Ladies for onward disbursement to beneficiaries. The RHI, she said, would collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to empower potential farmers, 75 per cent of whom would be young female farmers, with the remaining slot for young male farmers. She urged the beneficiaries to contribute to local and international food production and serve as role models for others aspiring to join the agricultural sector.

The First Lady also spoke of upcoming events, including the Every Home a Garden competition (#Food on Every Table), designed to encourage women to grow gardens in their homes; the winner will go home with N20m. Entries to be submitted through governors’ wives; Young Farmers Club (#Growing the Food I eat starts with me) in public schools, among other programmes.

The programme also witnessed the empowerment of 100 PLWDs with N100,000 each to recapitalize their businesses. It was indeed a harvest of bounties in Abeokuta, and the audience lauded the Abioduns for hosting a most delightful event.