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Remi Tinubu inaugurates women agric support scheme for 120 farmers in South South .

Published

1 year ago

May 9, 2024

The Nigerian First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, inaugurated her Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme in the South-South geopolitical zone of the country on Tuesday, May 7.
Inaugurating the scheme at the Government Banquet Hall, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Mrs Tinubu explained that the programme, which has been held in other geopolitical zones in the country, would empower 20 women each from the six states in the south-south region with a sum of N500,000 per beneficiary.
The First Lady, who was represented at the event by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, explained that 75 per cent of the beneficiaries of the scheme are young females who are mainly into animal husbandry, poultry and fish farming.
According to her: “Today, we are supporting 20 women farmers per state in the South South Zone with the sum of N500,000 each. To this end, a draft of N10,000,000 per state for the South South Zone will be handed over to the first ladies of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers states, who are also RHI state coordinators for onward disbursement to all beneficiaries in their respective states.
“These farmers are those in the agrarian sector, animal husbandry, poultry and fish farming. In a short while, the Renewed Hope Initiative will be collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to empower potential farmers. In this phase, 75 per cent of the beneficiaries will be young female farmers, while 25 per cent will be our young male farmers.”
Similarly, the First Lady further announced that 100 persons living with disabilities who are in small-scale businesses would each receive the sum of N100,000 to boost their businesses.
Addressing the beneficiaries and guests, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, commended the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for her humanitarian disposition, where vulnerable groups across the nation are beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope Initiative.
He noted that the government of Akwa Ibom State has taken steps to adopt the laudable programmes in the state. Worthy of note, the governor stated, is the ARISE Initiative for the Elderly, ARISE free voucher food programme from the Bulk Purchasing Agency, among others.
‘Today we are gathered here again to launch this great initiative for the south-south region. As our nation grapples with a challenging economic environment leading to the skyrocketing prices of food, this programme will help support our farming population and ensure that we get back to the farm,” he said.
The governor also noted that to ensure food sufficiency for all, the first and third Fridays of every month have been declared farm days in the state.
Earlier in her welcome address, the wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, who is also the state coordinator for the Renewed Hope Initiative, said that women in agriculture often face numerous challenges, including limited access to resources, land and education. She also posited that empowering women will help unlock their full potential, increase food security and boost economic growth in rural communities.
Pastor Patience Eno, who thanked Senator Oluremi Tinubu for also reaching out to empower the physically challenged constituency in the state, noted that individuals with disabilities make valuable contributions in business and other fields, hence the need to create inclusive opportunities for them to participate fully in economic activities, receive proper training and access support to overcome barriers.
In a goodwill message, the Zonal Chairman, RHI South-South Zone, and the First Lady of Bayelsa State, Dr Gloria Diri, applauded Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her deliberate efforts to change the narratives in the six geo-political zones through various empowerment programmes for women, youths, children and the elderly, cutting across political lines and affiliations, and reiterating their resolve to replicate programmes that will impact positively on humanity.
Remi Tinubu inaugurates women agric support scheme for 120 farmers in South South

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How we are protecting Abia farmers from attack – NSCDC

Published

8 hours ago

June 16, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, Abia State Command has said that it has been playing important roles to ensure that there is peace in Abia State communities, especially in farms.

Abia State Commandant of NSCDC, Commandant Akinsola Aderemi said this at Police Officers Mess, Umuahia, during the 1st Abia NUJ Agric Show 2025, which was organized by the leadership of the NUJ in Abia to tackle hunger in the land.

The NSCDC Commandant said that Agro Rangers Unit of the NSCDC in Abia State, which is tasked with maintaining peace in farms and agricultural environments, has been doing everything to ensure that Abia farmers are safe in their farms.

Represented by the Officer in charge of Agro Rangers Unit, I. White, Commandant Aderemi noted that when farms are made safe, food production would increase.

He disclosed that the Agro Rangers Unit of NSCDC in the Abia Command was playing a role in solving a recent misunderstanding between farmers and herdsmen in the Obehie area of the State.

He commended the leadership of the Abia NUJ for the Agric Show concept and for providing the mechanism to sensitise Nigerians on the need to go into agriculture.

In their speeches, the Chairman of Abia State Council of Ndieze, Eze Linus Nto Mbah and the Chairman of the occasion, Dr Boniface Iheanyichukwu Ariekpere urged Abia youths to defeat hunger and unemployment by embracing agric business.

Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Abia State Council, Chidi Asonye raised the alarm that many Nigerians are groaning in hunger caused by rising cost of food in the market.

He explained that the 1st Abia NUJ Agric Show was a response to the National emergency of food insecurity.

He called for urgent and coordinated efforts to reverse the ugly trend.

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Kaduna: Juji residents cry out over abandoned bridge

Published

3 days ago

June 13, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Residents of the Juji community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State have raised fresh concerns over the abandonment of a bridge project linking the town to Ungwan Gimbiya, warning that the situation has worsened with the onset of the rainy season.

The bridge, which has remained incomplete for several years, is now severely affected by erosion and stagnant floodwaters, leaving it nearly impassable and posing serious risks to residents.

Speaking with reporters, locals described how heavy rainfall often renders the route unusable, disrupting daily life.

“Each time it rains, children can’t get to school, and many parents are unable to leave for work,” a resident said. “We are cut off completely. The waterlogged path is dangerous to cross.”

Community members say the abandoned infrastructure has left them stranded and exposed, especially schoolchildren and traders who rely on the route.

They are calling on the Kaduna State Government and the Kaduna State Roads Agency, KADRA, to urgently resume and complete the project.

“This is no longer a minor complaint, it’s affecting our survival,” one resident added.

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Nigeria has regressed to electoral autocracy – LPPMC

Published

3 days ago

June 13, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Liberal Progressive & Patriotic Members Congress, LPPMC, has observed with dismay that Nigeria has regressed to electoral autocracy and needs constitutional disobedience to reset the system.

In a communiqué issued by the National Coordinator of LPPMC, Dr. Kingsley Okundaye, on behalf of 21 other leaders, the Congress stressed the need for an immediate biometric audit of INEC’s voter register, blockchain-based voting systems to prevent tampering, and live streaming of all results collation.

The meeting stated that when courts legitimize electoral heists, democracy becomes tyranny, and resolved to pursue a constitutional amendment to punish judicial officers who subvert electoral justice and impose a 90-day limit for election petitions.

The communiqué stated that 25 years of democracy have not addressed northern marginalization and called for constitutional recognition of power rotation between regions and religions.

On grassroots mobilization, LPPMC says it would launch “Democracy Literacy Campaigns” in all 774 LGAs, assuring that it would reserve 40% of leadership slots for women and youth (per gender policy debates).

LPPMC said, “The 2023 elections showed rigging is now institutionalized. We must act now or lose Nigeria completely.”

It alleged that Labour Party’s hijacking proves the need for new safeguards against political predators and called for the formation of a 37-state Coalition for Electoral Integrity by July 1.

It gave INEC an ultimatum to clean the voter register by August 30 and commence mass voter education by September 12.