Baskadia

...."To encourage women farmers and boost food production across the Nation twenty women from Cross River State benefitted from the Women Agricultural Support Programme of the Renewed Hope Initiative with a charge to maximize their grant and contribute to the enhancement of food production for sustenance".

Accepting the cheque of 10 million naira on behalf of the beneficiaries at the flag off ceremony of the Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme for the South South Geo-Political Zone at the Banquet Hall of the Government House Uyo, Wife of the Cross River State Governor, Rev. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu lauded the First Lady of the Nation, Senator Oluremi Tinubu for encouraging women to strive to do better.

Rev. Eyoanwan Otu reiterated the role of women in national development, inferring that as home managers, she is positive that they will put to judicious use the grant from RHI and ensure that there is a boost in food production. She restated her readiness to support the RHI of the President’s wife through her office towards a better life for Nigerians.

In her keynote address, the Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu that the Renewed Hope Initiative’s commitment to supporting women farmers nationwide aligns with the broadened national agenda to strengthen the agriculture sector. “today we are supporting twenty women par State in the South-South Zone with the sum of five hundred thousand naira, each.

To this end, a draft of ten million naira per state for the south South Zone will be handed over to the first ladies of the States, who are also RHI State Coordinators for onward disbursement to all beneficiaries in their respective States,” she added. The President’s Wife who was represented by the wife of the Vice President, and the National Vice Chairman,

RHI, Hajia Nana Shettima stated that these farmers are those in the agrarian sector, animal husbandry, poultry and fish farming. She added that the RHI will soon be collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to empower potential farmers. “70% of the beneficiaries will be young female farmers while 25% will be for our young male framers. They will all be specially identified, trained and empowered,” she informed.

She implored the women farmers being empowered to use this opportunity to expand their agricultural ventures to contribute to local and national food production and serve as role models for others aspiring to join the agricultural sector, according to her, “I have confidence that this initiative will not only transform the lives of the individual beneficiary but also contribute to food sufficiency in the South South Zone.” The event however received commendations from the Gov, of Akwa Ibom,

H.E Pastor Umo Eno, his amiable wife Mrs. Patience Eno, who played host and the Zonal Chairman of the South South Renewed Hope Initiative, emphasizing the importance of empowering women in agriculture for sustainable development and food security. All Spouses of governors from the South South Geo Political Zone, Wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Unoma Akpabio, Wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives alongside other dignitaries graced the occasion. Published by: Ettah Emmanuel