The Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme, a scheme designed to empower female farmers has been inaugurated in the South-South geopolitical zone by the country’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The event, held at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Uyo, also featured the launch of Financial Empowerment for 100 physically challenged Small Business owners.
Senator Tinubu disclosed that the programme, also held in other geopolitical zones, is aimed at empowering 20 women each from the six states in the south-south region with the sum of N500, 000 per beneficiary.
Represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, Senator Tinubu explained that 75 per cent of the beneficiaries of the scheme are young females, who are mainly into animal husbandry, poultry and fish farming.
“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 N10m 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 for young male farmers,” she said.
She also announced that 100 persons living with disability who are into 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 for her humanitarian disposition where vulnerable groups across the nation are beneficiaries of the initiative.
He noted that the state has taken steps to adopt the laudable programmes in the state. Worthy of note, he stated, is the ARISE Initiative for the elderly, ARISE free voucher food programme from the Bulk Purchasing Agency, among others.
Earlier in her welcome address, wife of the Governor, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, said the women in agriculture often face numerous challenges including limited access to resources, land and education.
She also posited that empowering women would help unlock their full potential, increase food security and boost economic growth in rural communities.
In a goodwill message, the Zonal Chairman, RHI South-South zone and the wife of Bayelsa State Governor, Dr. Gloria Diri, applauded Senator Tinubu for her 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, reiterating their resolve to replicate programmes that will impact humanity positively.
