By Foluso Adelaja, Editor
The clergyperson in the Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was exhibited during her recent visit to Abeokuta, Ogun State capital when she came to launch the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), her own social intervention program to assist women in agriculture, people living with disabilities (PLWD) and the less privileged in the society.
Senator Tinubu, noting the rising costs of living and the plights of the poor in a challenged economy as ours, was categorical in her affirmation that the nation shall yet see better days ahead.
The First Lady, a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God headed by Pastor Eunuch Adeboye prayed copiously for the nation.
She quoted from Haggai, chapter 2, verse 9 in the Bible to buttress her affirmation of a prosperous future for the country.
In her words: "The glory of latter Nigeria shall be greater than the former."
Though Senator Tinubu did not complete the quotation as had in the Bible where God also assured His people of peace in this latter day, maybe because of the realisation of the multiplicity of faith of her audience but the first lady prophesied that the nation shall be prosperous again and the good time will return to her people.
Enthused about her project, the RHI, she said she was happy to be in Ogun, her home state as she had been in Imo State for the maiden edition.
She said she was happy to be in Ogun State to continue the initiative of encouraging women in agriculture and assured that very soon, harvest shall be plentiful in the country.
The First Lady said the RHI will in a short while collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture as the initiative aligns with the broader plan of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the nation.
She urged women in agriculture to be confident of the support of her initiative as they contribute their quotas to making the country great.
Senator Tinubu stated that 20 women farmers would be supported in each of the South-West state with N500,000, as she handed over a draft of N10 million each to the first ladies of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo states, who were the RHI Coordinators for their respective states for onward disbursement to all beneficiaries in their states.
"The Renewed Hope Initiative Social Investment Programme will also be empowering 100 persons with disability, small business owners in Ogun State with a sum of N100,000 each, to recapitalise their existing businesses", she said.
Senator Tinubu said the initiative was to empower 75 percent young female farmers and 25 percent young male farmers, who would be identified and trained, noting that the pre-identified 80 women farmers in each state for agricultural support programme would also be carried along.
She urged women farmers to seize the opportunity to expand their agricultural ventures and contribute to local and national food production.
Earlier, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who lauded the President’s wife in uplifting the womenfolk, noted that the programme symbolised the determination of his administration to elevate women farmers, fortify the agricultural framework and align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to ensure food security and sufficiency, adding that investing in women extends beyond moral obligations.
Governor Abiodun revealed that his government through the Oko'Owo Dapo scheme with total investment of about N1.5 billion, had assisted over 50,000 women to grow their businesses with additional fund from the Federal Government under its Nigeria for Women Project, stating that a similar programme tagged, Ogun Broiler Empowerment scheme had also empowered over 500 women-agric entrepreneurs.
Abiodun added that his administration prioritised the welfare, well-being and empowerment of women, as well as implemented programmes aimed at boosting their status by including them in politics, governance, economic activities, just as ensuring their right to qualitative education, especially for girls, due to their population.
Speaking, the state’s Governor’s Wife and RHI Coordinator, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, described the initiative as a way of celebrating and empowering women in agriculture, commending Senator Tinubu for supporting women in sector.
Mrs. Abiodun said the development would enhance food security and its value chain, as well as discourage discrimination against people with disabilities, appreciating her for sponsoring students who have interest in agriculture to Belarus for further studies.
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