Food Scarcity: First Lady Empowers Over 300 Farmers in Ogun
Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the first lady of the federal republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has empowered over 300 individuals in Ogun State, under the Renewed Hope Initiative Agricultural Support Programme.
OTN News further reports that the first lady who was represented by Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, the wife of the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, presented the empowerment items on her behalf at the occasion held at the June 12 Cultural Centre Kuto, Abekuta.
According to her, the programme was not just agricultural interventions but also strategic investments in the future of the people of Ogun State.
Speaking further, she stated that the programme was designed to enhance food security, create employment opportunities and reduce poverty, adding that they were central to the Sustainable Development Goals SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
"Globally, agriculture remains one of the most effective tools for sustainable development—as recognised by the World Bank, which continues to affirm that growth in the agriculture sector is two to four times more effective in raising incomes among the poorest than growth in other sectors.
"Here in Ogun State, under the leadership of my husband, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun CON., agriculture remains a top priority. With our proximity to major markets like Lagos and our expanding agro-processing capacity, we are well positioned to become a model for integrated agricultural growth.
"The Young Farmers Initiative will build the capacity of our youth to drive innovation in agriculture and agribusiness, while the Women in Agriculture programme will support our women, who constitute over 60 percent of the rural agricultural workforce.
"We will do this with financing, training, and access to markets. The “Every Home a Garden” campaign will empower families to cultivate food in their own homes," she affirmed.
The Governor's wife explained that the selection process was an equal representation of the women, men, youths and school children in agriculture.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Bolu Owotomo, in his address, said that the initiative was designed as a comprehensive social welfare programme to empower women, support poor communities, promote food security and enhance environmental resilience.
He noted that women were significant players in the agricultural value chain and that their contributions to the growth of the agricultural sector was crucial, adding that the youths were not left out in acquiring skills, knowledge and opportunities that would transform them into successful entrepreneurs.
Speaking, representative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and food security, Engr. Sina Oyeniyi said that the initiative was in line with the President's Renewed Hope Agenda towards making lives more bearable for the citizens.
Oyeniyi who noted that the Ministry had been collaborating with other agencies of government and the 36 States including the Federal Capital Territory to achieve food sufficiency and security, highlighted some of the items distributed to the beneficiaries to include, birds, fingerlings, fertilizer, poultry pens, seeds, seedlings, wheelbarrows, milling machines among others with cash gift to support their agribusiness.
However, some of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Aisha Abdulgafar, Mrs. Grace Ibikunle, Mr. Akintolu Johnson and Miss Ibukun Are, appreciated the First Lady and the Ogun State Government for the empowerment.
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