Nigeria’s First Lady worried by continues attacks, killings in Plateau, calls for prayers

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Mrs Remi Tinubu

By Raymond Gukas, Jos

The wife of the President, Senator Remi Tinubu has described the continuous attacks and killings in Plateau State as “very disheartening ” and prayed for the peace of God to reign across the country.

Mrs. Tinubu said this in Jos, the state capital on the occasion of the launching of the North Central Renewed Hope
Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme (RHI-WASP) which held in the state last Tuesday.

“It is with a heavy heart that I am visiting Plateau State again. All the
incidents of Killings and attacks are very disheartening. I commiserate
with the Governor, all affected families and the people of Plateau State. I
pray that the peace of God will reign in Plateau”, she said in an emotion laden address to the people.

Represented by the wife of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mrs. Salamatu Gbajabiamila, emphasised that “we are flagging off the Renewed Hope Initiative Agricultural Support Programme for the North Central Zone in fulfilment of our
promise to continue to promote the womenfolk because of the “pivotal role that agriculture plays in achieving sustainable development and ensuring food sufficiency”

Therefore, she said, the Renewed Hope
Initiative’s commitment to supporting women farmers nationwide aligns
with the broader National agenda to strengthen the agricultural sector and as such, “we are supporting twenty (20) women farmers per State in the
North Central Zone with the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira
(N500,000) each”

The gesture, she added, are for
farmers in the agrarian sector, animal husbandry, poultry and fish
farming even as shr added that in a short while, the Renewed Hope Initiative will be collaborating with
the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to empower more potential farmers.

According to her, in this phase, 75% of the beneficiaries will be young female farmers while 25% will be for young male farmers that will all be specially identified, trained and empowered. Also, the pre-identified eighty (80)
women farmers in each State for our agricultural support programme will
be carried along, she stressed.

“I want to implore our women farmers receiving support today, to seize
this opportunity to expand their agricultural ventures, contribute to local
national food production, and serve as role models for others aspiring
to join the agricultural sector” as she believed the initiative would greatly transformed and contribute to food sufficiency in the zone.

Also, about One Hundred (100 Persons with Disability Small Business
Owners in Plateau State, will be supported with the sum of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000) each to recapitalize their existing businesses.

The goal Of this is to ensure food in every home, hence our slogan for this initiative is “#FoodOnEveryTable”.and she encouraged the people to spread the word in your
communities.

As a step to ensure the viability of this initiative, the Young Farmers’ Club
We will soon be launching the in Public Schools across the nation.and the motto of this club will be “Growing the Food I Eat, Starts with me”. The Club will be launched in State-owned Primary and Secondary Schools. This initiative is to encourage farming among our
young population.

The first lady also highlighted a disturbing trend afflicting the women folks.which she told a bewildered crowd that “would you believe that Nigeria has the highest number of
HIV/AIDS infections in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially, Mother-to-Child
Transmission? My Office will be starting an advocacy campaign on this
very soon”

In her welcome address, the wife of the governor of Plateau state, Mrs. Helen Mutfwang emphasized the crucial role women play in agriculture around the world. Adding that “They are the pillar of our agricultural sector, contributing meaningfully to food production, processing, and marketing”

However, she lamented that women in agriculture often face numerous challenges, including limited access to resources, lack of training and education, and gender-based discrimination arguing it is therefore, “noteworthy that the remarkable show of commitment demonstrated by our leader, the First Lady, Her Excellency Sen. Tinubu is worthy of commendation because this support will enable the women to reach their full potential and contribute to the growth and development of our agricultural sector”

Similarly, disabled individuals in our society also face significant barriers to economic empowerment and social inclusion. Again, the First Lady of the nation took it upon herself to provide them with the necessary support and resources to live fulfilling and productive lives. By offering financial assistance and opportunities for skill development, she has helped disabled individuals become self-reliant and active members of society, she noted.