By Abbas Nazil
In a significant move to boost food security, reduce poverty, and empower vulnerable groups, Nigerian First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has empowered 300 individuals in Ogun State through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Agricultural Support Programme.
The event, held at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Kuto, Abeokuta, saw beneficiaries receive a variety of agricultural inputs and cash gifts aimed at promoting sustainable agribusiness.
Representing the First Lady at the ceremony, the wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, distributed items including poultry birds, fingerlings, fertilizers, poultry pens, seeds, seedlings, wheelbarrows, milling machines, and financial support.
Mrs. Abiodun emphasized that the initiative was more than a mere agricultural intervention; it was a strategic investment in the future of Ogun State’s people.
She described the programme as aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
Highlighting agriculture as a cornerstone of economic development, Mrs. Abiodun referenced the World Bank’s position that agricultural growth is significantly more effective in alleviating poverty than growth in other sectors.
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She noted that under the leadership of her husband, Governor Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State has prioritized agriculture, leveraging its proximity to major markets such as Lagos and enhancing agro-processing capacities to position the state as a hub for integrated agricultural development.
She further explained that the initiative equally represented women, men, youths, and school children, with focused sub-programs such as the Young Farmers Initiative and the Women in Agriculture Programme.
These sub-programs aim to build capacity, provide access to financing and training, and improve market access, ensuring that both women and youth—key contributors to the agricultural sector—receive the support they need.
In a statement released by Kemi Oyeleye, Press Officer to the First Lady, the Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Bolu Owotomo, described the RHI programme as a comprehensive social welfare effort aimed at supporting poor communities, enhancing food security, and strengthening environmental resilience.
He reiterated the vital role of women in the agricultural value chain and assured that youth would not be left behind in gaining skills and opportunities to become successful agripreneurs.
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, represented by Sina Oyeniyi, affirmed its support for the initiative, stating that it aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He noted ongoing collaborations with other government agencies and all 36 states, including the FCT, to achieve nationwide food sufficiency.
Beneficiaries such as Mrs. Aisha Abdulgafar, Mrs. Grace Ibikunle, Mr. Akintolu Johnson, and Miss Ibukun expressed deep gratitude to the First Lady and the Ogun State Government for the empowerment, which they believe will significantly enhance their livelihoods and promote agricultural productivity.
