In a bid to promote inclusivity and equality, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, and the First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, have reiterated their commitment to providing equal opportunities and support for women with disabilities in the agricultural sector.
The reaffirmation came during the flag-off ceremony of the Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Program, focusing on empowering women in agriculture and persons with disabilities in the North-East geopolitical zone. Held in Maiduguri, Borno State, the event aimed to harness the agricultural potential of the region and empower women, including those with disabilities.
Addressing attendees, Hon. Abba Isa emphasized the importance of empowering women in agriculture, acknowledging their role as not just cultivators of the land but also nurturers of families and communities. He highlighted the challenges faced by women in accessing resources and financial support and stressed the need to address these barriers through initiatives like the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Furthermore, Hon. Abba Isa lauded the visionary leadership of Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu and commended her unwavering dedication to the well-being of the less privileged, particularly women and persons with disabilities. He called for partnership and collaboration to translate renewed hope into tangible progress, transforming the lives of women and persons with disabilities across the nation.
Representing the First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, the Vice Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Nana Kashim Shettima, reiterated the government’s commitment to inclusivity and equality. She highlighted the initiative’s goal of ensuring equal access to opportunities and support for women with disabilities in agriculture.
The ceremony witnessed the distribution of financial support to beneficiaries, with 220 women farmers and persons with disabilities benefiting from the program. Each of the 120 women farmers received N500,000, while 100 persons with disabilities from Borno State received N100,000 each.
In her remarks, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu emphasized the importance of supporting women farmers in the Northeast, underscoring the role of agriculture in driving economic growth and development. She commended the efforts of the first ladies of the Northeast states and urged them to ensure the effective disbursement of funds to beneficiaries.
The event was graced by dignitaries, including Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, who also represented the Northeast Governors forum. Other attendees included the Deputy Governor of Borno, Umar Usman Kadafur, and wives of governors from Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe States, among others.
The flag-off ceremony marked a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to promote inclusivity and support vulnerable groups, particularly women with disabilities, in agriculture. With collaborative initiatives like the Renewed Hope Initiative, stakeholders remain optimistic about driving positive change and empowerment in the agricultural sector, ultimately fostering socio-economic development and prosperity for all.
