The fertile soil of Ogun State received a fresh sowing of hope yesterday, as Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, extended her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Agricultural Support Programme to empower 300 individuals. The initiative, a tangible expression of the current administration’s commitment to bolstering food security and alleviating poverty, saw a diverse group of beneficiaries receive vital agricultural resources and financial support at a vibrant event held at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Kuto, Abeokuta.
Representing the First Lady, the elegant wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, eloquently presented the empowerment packages. She underscored the significance of the RHI programme, articulating that it transcends mere agricultural aid, blossoming instead into a strategic investment in the very fabric of Ogun State’s future. Mrs. Abiodun highlighted the alignment of the initiative with key Sustainable Development Goals – eradicating poverty (SDG 1), achieving zero hunger (SDG 2), and championing gender equality (SDG 5).
Drawing attention to the pivotal role of agriculture on a global scale, Mrs. Abiodun quoted the World Bank’s compelling assertion that growth within the agricultural sector proves two to four times more effective in elevating the incomes of the poorest segments of society compared to advancements in other economic spheres. She proudly affirmed that under the stewardship of her husband, Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, agriculture remains a cornerstone of Ogun State’s developmental agenda.
“Our strategic location, bordering the bustling markets of Lagos, coupled with our burgeoning agro-processing capabilities, positions Ogun State to cultivate a model of integrated agricultural growth,” Mrs. Abiodun declared with palpable optimism. She further elaborated on specific prongs of the state’s agricultural strategy, including the “Young Farmers Initiative,” designed to cultivate innovation among the youth in agriculture and agribusiness, and the “Women in Agriculture” programme, aimed at empowering the significant female demographic that constitutes over 60% of the rural agricultural workforce. These initiatives, she assured, would be underpinned by access to crucial financing, comprehensive training, and vital market linkages. The ambitious “Every Home a Garden” campaign, she added, seeks to empower families at a grassroots level to cultivate their own sustenance.
Mrs. Abiodun clarified that the selection of beneficiaries reflected a balanced representation of women, men, young people, and even school children actively involved in agriculture, ensuring inclusivity across the spectrum of agricultural engagement.
Echoing this sentiment, a statement released by the First Lady’s Press Officer, Kemi Oyeleye, quoted the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Bolu Owotomo, who described the RHI as a “comprehensive social welfare programme” meticulously crafted to empower women, uplift vulnerable communities, fortify food security, and enhance environmental resilience. He emphasized the indispensable role of women within the agricultural value chain, asserting that their contributions are “crucial” to the sector’s advancement. Mr. Owotomo also assured that the youth were integral to the vision, with the initiative designed to equip them with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities necessary to flourish as successful agricultural entrepreneurs.
Adding a federal perspective, Mr. Sina Oyeniyi, representing the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, affirmed that the First Lady’s initiative seamlessly aligns with President’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” a vision the federal government is actively pursuing. He highlighted the collaborative efforts between the ministry, other government agencies, and all 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, all geared towards achieving national food sufficiency and security.
The beneficiaries, a picture of burgeoning hope, received a diverse array of agricultural inputs tailored to their specific needs. These included poultry birds, fish fingerlings, essential fertilizers, sturdy poultry pens, a variety of seeds and seedlings, practical wheelbarrows, and efficient milling machines. Adding a crucial financial boost, each beneficiary also received a cash gift to inject vital capital into their burgeoning agribusinesses.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, beneficiaries such as Mrs. Aisha Abdulgafar, Mrs. Grace Ibikunle, Mr. Akintolu Johnson, and Miss Ibukun collectively voiced their profound appreciation to the First Lady and the Ogun State Government for this transformative empowerment, a testament to the potential for growth and prosperity sown by this timely initiative.
