…to empower 2 million women

…400 Beneficiaries receive maize seeds, fertilizers, herbicides, others

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA- THE National Agricultural Lands Development Authority, NALDA, has thrown its weight behind the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Initiative’ to empower 2 million women farmers.

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of NALDA, Prince Paul Ikonne, made this known while delivering a speech during the launch of the ‘Renewed Hope Initiative’ by the First Lady in Owerri, the Imo State Capital, which is basically to support women and youth farmers to produce food and make profits.

The Initiative is a grassroots scheme designed for the betterment of Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones of the country, and it was launched in conjunction with NALDA to empower women farmers to tackle poverty.

According to the First Lady, the Initiative will support 20 women farmers per State with a sum of N500,000 each with a total sum of N10 million per State, while she presented bank drafts of N10 million each to the Southeast states’ First Ladies.

She said: “The Renewed Hope Initiative’s commitment to supporting women farmers aligns with a broader national agenda to strengthen the agricultural sector.”

Meanwhile, she maintained that President Bola Tinubu’s administration recognizes the pivotal and strategic roles the agricultural sector plays in achieving sustainable development and food sufficiency and security.

Also, the NALDA boss in his speech assured that NALDA remains committed to partnering with the First Lady to ensure women, especially the young ones, in agribusiness are carried along and well supported to meet the aims and objectives of the Renewed Hope Initiative, and added that the First Lady has all support from NALDA for the benefit of Nigerians across the country.

“NALDA has made provision for 2 million women under this programme, supporting and working with the wife of the President”, he said.

Meanwhile, 400 beneficiaries of the Initiative received various farm inputs; 200 of them received a kit containing maize seeds, liquid fertilizers, and herbicides enough to cater for one hectare of maize farm, targeting 200 hectares.

The remaining 200 beneficiaries got 25 two-week-old chicks, one battery cage, and three bags of poultry feed that would last till the birds mature.

The flag-off of the event had in attendance the Wife of the Vice-President, Hajia Nana Shettima; Wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio; Wives of the South-East State Governors; Wife of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mrs. Salamatu Gbajabiamila; Wives of Service Chiefs; and among other women leaders.

Also, traditional rulers, industrialists, women cooperative groups, stakeholders, and beneficiaries.