A 70 year old retired teacher, Mrs Ngozi-Stella Atinko, has urged women to embrace agriculture as a viable means of sustaining their families and empowering the younger generation.

Speaking at the weekend in Abuja during her 70th birthday celebration, the septuagenarian explained that alongside her teaching job, she engaged in farming to generate extra income to support her family.  attributed her life’s achievements to farming, faith, and discipline.

Speaking in Abuja Atinko shared how her unwavering faith in God and dedication to farming and teaching helped her raise her four children following the early demise of her husband.

“I could not abandon them. I promised my husband that I would not allow them to suffer, whether there was a father or not,” she said.

Despite financial difficulties, she remained resolute in her determination to provide for her three sons and a daughter.

She also credited her success to the values of love and generosity, noting that she always shared the little she had with her neighbours.

Atinko said “My hope was that He who made the heavens and the earth is able to do all things. That was my first belief and my drive.

“I am not a woman that eats alone. I cook a pot of rice and before you know it, neighbours have dropped their plates. I share with them,” she added.

Urging young people to live righteous and selfless lives, Atinko emphasised that acts of kindness are investments with positive returns.

Also speaking, her son, Dr Sunday Atinko, a Consultant Urological Surgeon at the National Hospital, Abuja, said his mother’s values of discipline, excellence, and integrity profoundly shaped his personal and professional life.

About his mother’s influence in his life, he said “She taught me to do unto others what you would have them do to you in every situation.”

He called on parents to combine prayers with discipline and lead by example.

“What you say should be what you do. What your children see is what they will practice,” he adds.