By Ovat Abeng
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged the people of Anambra State to engage firmly in farming to ensure self-sufficiency and food sustainability in the state and beyond.
She made this call during an empowerment program for newly trained farmers in Anambra, where over two hundred beneficiaries received farm tools to boost their farm production.
The program, held at the state governor’s lodge Amawbia on Wednesday, under the “Renewed Hope Initiative,” aimed to promote agriculture development, create employment opportunities, and boost economic empowerment for the youths and women.
While speaking on behalf of the President wife, the Wife of Anambra State Governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo, said the program is aim to change the narrative and demonstrate the potential of agriculture as a viable career path.
Read Also: Alleged kidnap Of Big Ben: AYM Cautions Against Creating Public Discontent
According to her, “The Renewed Hope Agriculture Support Program is a medium scale agro support initiative that targets individuals who have the right passion to venture into lucrative agro-businesses. You all have been trained in different departments including: Feed processing, vegetable farming, drip irrigation installation, and piggery. Each of these training areas offers you a platform to learn, develop, and become financially sustained.
“We were keenly intentional with every process leading up to this phase. Following up strictly on the programme directive, as has been instructed by the First Lady, we have ensured that every one of you who will leave here today is going home with something worth the wait.
The selection criteria for this programme were carefully run through to ensure equal representation across board. From different women groups, youth organizations, political associations, school clubs, we have brought together a complete group of like-minded individuals who are driven by the foundational goals of this programme and are keen to making a difference through its rewards. The president’s wife is super proud of your tenacity, commitment, belief, and sacrifice.
“I’m impressed by your zeal, brilliance, and passion. We’re so, so proud of you.
“Today, you all will be heading home with rewards of your passion. Nothing could be as deserved as that. You have given this program your all: time, energy, attention, trust, name it? Today, the gains are right here before you. Economic empowerment remains a core objective of the Renewed Hope Initiative and we have consistently delivered on this promise for both women and youth across the six (6) geopolitical zones to support the economic reforms of the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We recognize that empowering women and youths economically is not just a moral imperative but a strategic one. When women and youth thrive, their families thrive, and by extension, our communities and the nation prosper.
“As you go back home today with these valuable items, I urge you to make the best use of them. You have been empowered for a particular purpose, and we expect you to make that purpose count.
“What you are going home with today is not to be sold or used for something different from the objectives of the program. So you must use them wisely and work harder to make the best benefits from them. The expectation is that you will not just become employed but ultimately lead a network of people who would find an exemplary impact from your businesses.
“We have trained you. Now, it is your turn to train others. Like that, we can end unemployment and poverty, build financial independence, create better income platforms, raise financial growth, and grow our economy.
“Please make the best of this rare opportunity. Once again, on behalf of Nigeria’s First Lady and National Chairman of Renewed Hope Initiative, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, I want to congratulate you for making it up here. May you all find the best rewards in your passion, Soludo’s wife concluded.
Earlier in his remark, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Foster Ihejiofor, said that agriculture is not about feeding people alone but shaping the future of Nigeria stresses that as stakeholders is putting effort in curbing the challenges of food security, incessant intervention will be the key to unravel the challenges.
He expressed that the Ministry under his watch is ready to support needed for youth to flourish in agriculture noting that empowering young farmers with right knowledge, skill, and resources will cultivate the general growth of food security, poverty reduction and economic viability.
In their unanimous appreciation, the beneficiaries pray God to continued to bless Mrs Tinubu in all endeavors.
The event also witnessed the presence of the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, his Women Affairs counterpart, Ify Obinabo, the Youth Farmers Club and other stakeholders from Agricultural sector.
The “Renewed Hope Initiative” is a nationwide program aimed at promoting women’s involvement in agriculture and supporting young farmers.
