Urges Active Participation in Food Security Initiative
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has made a clarion call to all women residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to actively participate in the ‘Every Home a Garden’ competition. This initiative, which aligns with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, aims to tackle food insecurity in Nigeria through the promotion of home gardening.
This call was made by the Mandate Secretary of Women Affairs, FCTA, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, during a media briefing in her office on Tuesday. The briefing marked the official launch of the competition within the FCT, highlighting the initiative as a vital step towards ending hunger in Nigeria.
Promoting Food Security Through Community Engagement
Dr. Benjamins-Laniyi opened the joint press briefing between the Women Affairs Secretariat and Abuja Parks and Gardens by emphasizing the significance of the competition. She stated, “Today, we are commemorating an initiative from the office of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, which advocates for ending food insecurity in Nigeria. The initiative, ‘Every Home a Garden Competition,’ is a national reference to the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It brings women into the forefront, not just as drivers of social and humanitarian interventions, but as catalysts for community engagement in solving the huge problem of food insecurity and hunger.”
The competition encourages women across Nigeria to establish home gardens that go beyond ornamental purposes. These gardens are envisioned to grow vegetables and other food items, providing sustenance for the family and potentially generating income through neighborhood farm markets. The competition is set to inspire women to contribute to the fight against hunger while enhancing the socio-economic well-being of their communities.
Participation and Incentives
To participate in the competition, women are required to submit a 30-second video showcasing their gardens by September 25, 2024. This initiative provides a significant incentive, with the winner standing to receive a grand prize of N20 million. This substantial reward is intended to motivate women to actively engage in agricultural activities that contribute to food security.
Dr. Benjamins-Laniyi emphasized that the competition is not merely about owning a garden but is also about contributing to the nation’s GDP and fostering societal cohesion. “This project has the motto ‘Better Life for Every Family,’ whether you are in rural communities or urban centers. Urban farming is at the center of food security for urban families,” she stated.
She further encouraged urban dwellers, who may lack access to large farming spaces, to use innovative methods such as planting in sacks, containers, using soil-less culture to grow vegetables in their backyards.
FCTA’s Commitment to the Initiative
As the FCT coordinator for the ‘Renewed Hope Initiative’ from the First Lady’s office, Dr. Benjamins-Laniyi reiterated the FCTA’s commitment to ensuring the success of the competition. She urged women in the FCT to get involved and assured them that every participant would receive something to support their farming endeavors. “It is not all about the winner taking home N20 million by December, but every competitor will get something to support her farming. We are working closely with Abuja Parks and Gardens to make this a reality,” she assured.
The FCTA is determined to make Abuja the epicenter of the ‘Every Home a Garden’ project. Across the 62 wards and six area councils in the FCT, there will be winners, ensuring that everyone who participates in the competition benefits in some way.
The FCT coordinator for ‘Every Home A Garden’ competition, Bonire Deborah, underscored the importance of women nurturing gardens in their homes just as they nurture their children, harvesting the produce to feed their families and support neighbours.
Participants can submit their applications at the Women Affairs Department, located at the Arts and Culture Complex in Area 10, Garki, Abuja. The department is prepared to assist women with their applications and is poised to ensure widespread participation across the FCT.
Supporting the Initiative through Partnerships and Demonstration Sites
The FCTA, through the Abuja Parks and Recreation Department, is also taking steps to support the competition. The Deputy Director of the department, Mrs. Umeha Ifeoma, revealed that the department would grant approval to residents who wish to use portions of land, previously designated for greening and beautification, to grow vegetables and food. This shift in policy is intended to bolster the First Lady’s initiative by making more land available for urban farming.
Furthermore, the department plans to incentivize members of the Abuja Plant Nursery to engage in planting vegetables and fruits, instead of the flowers they are traditionally known for. This will support the overall goal of the ‘Every Home a Garden’ initiative. The department also intends to create demonstration sites where residents can learn how to establish and maintain their gardens, turning greenhouses into centers where seedlings can be banked and made available to participants at subsidized rates.
Expanding the Impact: Additional Initiatives Under the ‘Renewed Hope Initiative’
The ‘Every Home a Garden’ competition is one component of the broader ‘Renewed Hope Initiative,’ spearheaded by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. The initiative also includes the distribution of agricultural grants of N500,000 each to 20 women farmers in every state across Nigeria, including women with disabilities. Additionally, a Young Farmers Club will be introduced in schools through the Ministry of Education, encouraging young people to engage in farming.
Furthermore, the First Lady has empowered 37,000 petty trader women across the country with N50,000 each. In the FCT, this initiative has been supported by UN Women, which has extended the program to an additional 300 women, bringing the total to 1,300 beneficiaries. The UN Women is also providing training on financial literacy to help these women grow their businesses.
Towards a Food-Secure Future
The ‘Every Home a Garden’ project and the broader initiatives under the ‘Renewed Hope Initiative’ represent a comprehensive approach to addressing food insecurity in Nigeria. By encouraging urban and rural women alike to engage in home gardening, these initiatives are not only contributing to food security but also empowering women economically and fostering community cohesion.
As the deadline for submissions approaches, the FCTA is urging all women in the FCT to seize this opportunity. Dr. Benjamins-Laniyi concluded by calling on FCT women to “get to work” and ensure that the FCT produces the winner of the competition. Even if they do not win the grand prize, participants stand to gain numerous other benefits from this transformative initiative.
The ‘Every Home a Garden’ competition is set to make a significant impact in the fight against food insecurity, demonstrating how community-driven initiatives can address national challenges while empowering women and promoting economic development.
