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Senator Remi Tinubu Empowers 320 Women and Youths in Agriculture, Establishes 30 Young Farmers Clubs In Cross River State.
In a remarkable strategy to boost the agricultural development and youth engagement in farming, The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI)—a flagship program of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON has just concluded the empowerment of 320 women and youths in Agriculture, across the three senatorial districts of Cross River State. The initiative, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, also established Young Farmers Clubs in 30 schools across the state to foster early interest in agriculture among students.Speaking at the launch event for the Southern Senatorial District which held at the Calabar Municipal Council hall, Calabar, the First Lady of Cross River State and State Coordinator of RHI, Bishop Dr (Mrs) Bassey Otu represented by her Senior Special Advicer on Administration emphasized the program’s commitment to strengthening food security, reducing unemployment, and promoting self-sufficiency through modern agricultural practices. ” This project by our mother, the First Lady of the Nation, is geared towards helping women and young farmers gain skills and support to improve food production, food security, and nutrition.” “The project is divided into four (4) categories; Women Agricultural Support Program (WASP), Youths Agricultural Support Program (YASP), Every Home a Garden, and Young Farmers Club. Beneficiaries of these projects will receive training, farming inputs, and starter packs to enhance their participation in agribusiness.”She reiterated the importance of equipping women and youths with the necessary skills to thrive in the agricultural sector. “Empowering our women and young people in agriculture is a step towards ensuring food sustainability, security, and economic independence. Through this initiative, we are not just providing support but also shaping the future of farming in Nigeria. Today, women and youths across the three (3) Senatorial Districts of the state will not just be trained, they will be given inputs to support them as well” she stated.Also speaking, the Chairman of Calabar Municipality Honourable Bassey Anam, represented by the Secretary of Council, Comrade Isor Edim, implored beneficiaries to maximise the inputs given, saying “if everyone who benefits today can utilise these items well, it will reflect on our economy and we will not return to where we are today.”The Young Farmers Club initiative, implemented in 30 schools across the Senatorial Districts of the state, aims to inspire the next generation of agricultural entrepreneurs by integrating hands-on farming experiences into school curricula.
This move is expected to ignite students’ interest in agribusiness, innovation, and sustainable farming techniques.The representatives of the Federal and State Ministries of Agriculture, present at the event, reaffirmed the government’s support for grassroots agricultural development, stating that Nigeria’s agricultural transformation relies on inclusive programs like this, where women and youths are given the opportunity to lead the way in food production.
The highlight of the event was the distribution of inputs for the women and youths to include; For poultry farmers, 2 bags of starter feeds, 2 bags of finisher feeds, and 50 chicks each.For fish farmers, 2 bags of feeds, a tank, and 200 fingerlings. For Crop Farmers, a Knapsack sprayer, a watering can, pumpkin, okra, and improved maize seeds, 2 litres each of organic fertilisers, 1 litre each of pre-emergence and post-emergence pesticides as well as a spade.
For the Young Farmers Clubs, participating schools received the same items crop farmers received, alongside hand trowels, rain boots, and First Aid boxes.The newly empowered beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the initiative, emphasising that the support will enable them to venture into profitable agricultural enterprises.
Faith Okon-Egbujiem Press Secretary to the Wife of the Governor. 6/2/2025
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