Renewed Hope Initiative kicks off in Plateau, Ogun
Omobolaji Adekunle and Ukandi Odey
Wife of the President, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, has launched a social intervention programme (Renewed Hope Initiative) in the states of Plateau and Ogun.
No fewer than 120 women from the six south west states are to get the sum of N60 million from The Renewed Hope Initiative, a social intervention programme of the wife of the President, Mrs. Oluremi Tunubu.
Mrs. Tinubu, who disclosed this on Tuesday at the launch of the Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme for the south west and flag off of the 2024 Ogun State Planting Season, held at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, also said that N10million would be given to 100 persons with disability to capitalise their existing businesses.
She said, “Today, we are supporting 20 women farmers per state with the sum of N500,000 each. To this end, a draft of N10million per state for the South West zone will be handed over to the first ladies of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo states who are the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) state coordinators for onward disbursement to all beneficiaries in their respective states.
“The Renewed Hope Initiative Social Investment Programme will be empowering 100 persons with disability, small business owners in Ogun State with a sum of N100,000 each to recapitalise their existing businesses.”
Senator Tinubu also disclosed that the Renewed Hope Initiative would be collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to empower farmers, saying that 75 percent of the beneficiaries who will be young female farmers and 25 percent young male farmers would be specially identified, trained and empowered under the program.
The First Lady, while adding that the pre-identified 80 women farmers in each state for agricultural support program would be carried along, urged women farmers to seize the opportunity to expand their agricultural ventures and contribute to local and national food production.
“In a short while, the Renewed Hope Initiative will be collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to empower potential farmers. In this phase, 75 percent of the beneficiaries will be young female farmers while 25 percent will be for young male farmers. They will all be specially identified, trained and empowered.
“I want to implore our women farmers receiving support today to seize this opportunity to expand their agricultural ventures, contribute to local and national food production and serve as role models for others aspiring to join the agricultural sector,” she added.
Earlier in his remarks, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun disclosed that his administration through the Oko’owo Dapo scheme has assisted over 50,000 women to grow their businesses with additional funding from the Federal Government’s Nigeria for Women Project.
Abiodun, who added that the total investment of the scheme now stands at about N1.5billion, said the Ogun Broiler Empowerment Scheme through which day old chicks were given to women and broilers taken from them every 90 days, have also empowered over 500 women agric entrepreneurs.
Governor Abiodun while noting that his administration has also launched Ibi-Dero, an initiative specifically targeted at pregnant indigent women for pre-natal delivery, post-natal and neo-natal care free of charge, maintained that his administration has succeeded in reducing Maternal and Child Mortality Rate in the state.
The State helmsman noted that his administration has prioritized the welfare and empowerment of women as a result of their population, adding that his government has also implemented programmes aimed at boost the status of women by including them in politics, governance and economic activities as well as providing education for girls.
Abiodun added that the Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme, holds a special resonance as it mirrors the resilience and tenacity of women in the state and the South West, saying that the spirit of women is integral to driving agricultural innovation and economic growth.
Governor Abiodun, while noting that Renewed Hope Initiative program symbolises the determination of his administration to uplift women farmers, fortifying the agricultural framework and aligning with the sustainable development goals to ensure food security and sufficiency, added that investing in women extends beyond moral obligations.
In her welcome address, the first lady and the state coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) in Ogun State, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, noted that the Initiative is to celebrate and empower women in agriculture, commending the first lady for sponsoring students with interest in agriculture to Belarus for more studies.
She noted that supporting women in agriculture in the state would help to improve the agriculture value chain, adding that the discrimination against people with disabilities would soon become a thing of the past with the determination of Senator Oluremi Tinubu to make the required difference.
In her remarks, the South West Zonal Coordinator for the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) and wife of the Governor of Oyo State, Mrs.Tamunominini Olufunke Makinde noted that the support program would assist women in agriculture thereby improving the agriculture sector of the states, urging the beneficiaries to use the support judiciously.
…Tinubu launches programme in Jos
Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu on Tuesday led wives of the governors of the North Central geopolitical zone to launch the Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme in Jos, Plateau State capital.
Represented by the wife of the Chief of Staff to the President, Salamatu Gbajabiamila, who, incidentally, hails from Mangu local government area of Plateau State, Senator Oluremi Tinubu said the launch of the project is not only a way of making the women folk integral in the present government, but to empower women as the fulcrum of the family.
She said, “The administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, recognises the pivotal role agriculture plays in achieving sustainable development and in achieving food sufficiency.
“Therefore, the Renewed Hope Initiative’s commitment to supporting women farmers nationwide aligns with the broader national agenda to strengthen the agricultural sector.”
“Today,” shs said further, “we are supporting twenty (20) women farmers per state in the North Central zone with the sum of five hundred thousand naira (N500,000) each. To this end, a draft of ten million naira (N10,000,000) per State for the North Central zone will be handed over to the First Ladies of Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau States who also are RHI State Coordinators for onward disbursement to all beneficiaries in their respective States.”
However, the First Lady also announced that one hundred physically challenged persons in Plateau State will also receive one hundred thousand naira each under the same RHI Agriculture Support Programme.
Speaking at the occasion, Plateau State First Lady and State Coordinator of the RHI, Barrister Mrs Helen Mutfwang, said, “The choice of Jos as the centre for the North Central is not a mere coincidence but a choice informed by the uniqueness of the city as home of peace and tourism.
“Plateau State is a hidden jewel in Nigeria, offering visitors a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural diversity, where traditional customs and modern influences coexist harmoniously.”
She also noted that, “Today, we gather here in Jos to celebrate and support the empowerment of women in agriculture and to provide financial assistance to disabled individuals in our community. This event is a testimony to the First Lady’s commitment to promoting gender equality, inclusivity, and economic empowerment for all members of our society.”
In his welcome address, Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang commended the First Lady for choosing Plateau State to host the event, saying Plateau people are genuinely grateful for the gesture.
