The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has extended her grassroots empowerment initiative to Edo State, distributing agricultural support materials to women and youths across the state’s 18 local government areas.
The exercise, supervised by the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Anani Okpebholo, took place at the New Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City. It forms part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agricultural Support Programme and Empowerment Initiative, aimed at boosting food security, promoting economic inclusion, and empowering vulnerable groups through sustainable agricultural practices. Items distributed to beneficiaries included poultry chicks, improved seedlings, farm implements, fertilizers, and cash grants.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Anani noted that the initiative aligns with Senator Tinubu’s vision to improve the lives of families across the nation, while lauding Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration for providing the enabling environment for such programmes to thrive in Edo State.
She further announced a gardening competition to encourage home farming, where the woman with the best home garden would win ₦1 million, while the second and third prizes would attract ₦500,000 and ₦300,000 respectively.
Special Adviser on Agriculture and Food Security, Ugbodu Golden, reaffirmed the Okpebholo administration’s commitment to reviving agriculture in the state. He disclosed that over 200 hectares of farmland have been prepared, tractors procured, and fertilizers made available to farmers as part of efforts to reposition the sector.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Edo State Chapter, Alhaji Bako Ebiredelu Dogwo, praised the current administration’s focus on agriculture, contrasting it with what he described as neglect during the tenure of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Another highlight was the decoration of 31 students drawn from young farmers’ clubs across secondary schools in the state. Each student was presented with farming tools to kickstart a farming competition among schools, with cash prizes and bulk purchases of their produce promised.
The event also featured lectures by agricultural experts on poultry, vegetable farming, fisheries, and careers in agriculture.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Osayande Sunday, commended Governor Okpebholo for making farming attractive to the populace, describing the agricultural drive as one capable of stimulating the state’s economy and ensuring food security.
