The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has flagged off the distribution of farm inputs and equipment to farmers in Kogi State under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Agricultural Support Programme.
Speaking during the inauguration of the programme on Tuesday in Lokoja, Mrs. Tinubu said the initiative was part of RHI’s unwavering commitment to supporting women and youth farmers, with the ultimate goal of transforming agriculture and improving livelihoods across Nigeria.
According to her, the initiative encompasses four key agricultural support programmes: the Women Agricultural Support Programme, Youth Agricultural Support Programme, Every Home a Garden Initiative, and the Young Farmers Club.
Represented by the Wife of the Kogi State Governor, Hajia Sefinat Ododo, the First Lady emphasized that the initiative aligns with the broader national agenda of strengthening the agricultural sector in the country.
In her own remarks, Mrs. Ododo expressed deep appreciation to the First Lady for her leadership and inspiration in empowering the poor and vulnerable.
She noted that the initiative would significantly boost food production and contribute to economic growth in Kogi State.
“The initiative, which targets women, youth, and students, provides equipment and inputs such as agrochemicals and financial support to enhance agricultural productivity.
“It is part of the state’s commitment to producing sufficient food for its citizens and contributing meaningfully to national food security,” she said.
Mrs. Ododo expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to empower these groups, describing the initiative as one designed to plant hope and foster a brighter future for the community.
She further disclosed plans by her office to launch a data portal to register women agricultural students in tertiary institutions, reiterating her commitment to empowering women and promoting inclusivity.
She congratulated the beneficiaries on receiving the support, which she described as an investment not just in their farms, but in their futures and the overall food security of the nation.
The governor’s wife urged beneficiaries to use the resources wisely and ensure proper maintenance to maximize output and ensure sustainability.
In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojomah, and the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, commended Senator Tinubu and Mrs. Ododo for their visionary initiative.
Ojomah revealed that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo had on Monday distributed assorted fertilizers to farmers across the state to boost wet season farming, reaffirming the government’s unwavering commitment to achieving food security in Kogi State.
On his part, Hon. Wemi Jones, who was represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Barikisu Omolayo, described the initiative as a strong affirmation of the role of education in nation-building and in fostering a prosperous agricultural future.
“By involving our youth today, we are planting the seeds of innovation, responsibility, and food security for tomorrow.
“Our Ministry is proud to align with this initiative and we reaffirm our commitment to supporting all programmes that integrate education with empowerment, productivity, and national development,” Jones stated.
Also speaking, Mr. Abdulkabir Otaru, the Desk Officer for the RHI Agricultural Support Programme in Kogi, disclosed that 33 women would receive multipurpose processing machines.
He noted that 25 women poultry entrepreneurs would benefit from broiler production inputs, including 100-day-old chicks, poultry feed, and wheelbarrows.
Otaru added that 36 youths would be supported in maize and cassava cultivation through the provision of improved seeds, fertilizers, herbicides, and knapsack sprayers.
Furthermore, 25 home gardeners would benefit under the Every Home a Garden Initiative with the distribution of improved vegetable seeds, coconut seedlings, organic fertilizers, and herbicides.
He noted that under the Young Farmers Club, 150 students drawn from 15 secondary schools across the state would receive support for maize and cassava production, including seeds, fertilizers, herbicides, and essential farming tools.
Two beneficiaries; Mrs. Elizabeth Ayodele and Miss Rahimat Hassan, a student, expressed their appreciation for the kind gesture and pledged to use the support judiciously to increase productivity and promote food security in their communities.