Northeast Governors Unite Behind First Lady Tinubu’s Empowerment Drive, Led by Bauchi State Coordinator Hajiya Aishatu Bala Abdulkadir
By Zainab Faruk
The Northeast Governors Forum has pledged its commitment to bolster the efforts of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, in supporting women through job creation initiatives.
Speaking at the launch of the Renewed Hope Initiative: Women Agricultural Support Program for the Northeast geopolitical zone in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, Professor Baba Gana Umara Zulum, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Borno State, emphasized the significance of this initiative in enhancing agricultural productivity and uplifting rural farmers, who make up a substantial portion of the population.
Governor Zulum highlighted job creation as a top priority of the Tinubu administration, assuring that the wives of Northeastern governors overseeing the program in their respective states would ensure its successful implementation.
He commended Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her dedication and selfless service to humanity, noting that the initiative reflects her wealth of experience.
Hajiya Aishatu Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad, the northeast Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, echoed Governor Zulum’s sentiments, praising Senator Tinubu for her commitment to improving the lives of families.
She emphasized that the Women Agricultural Support Program would significantly impact communities in the Northeast, especially those affected by insurgent activities.
Hajiya Aishatu Bala Muhammad, also the First Lady of Bauchi State, underscored the program’s potential to enhance food security, alleviate the rising cost of food items, and boost the economy.
She pledged to ensure the success of the program in the Northeast region and highlighted the complementary efforts of her pet project, the Almuhibbah Foundation, in improving the lives of youths and women.
The Renewed Hope Initiative led by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has targeted to empower 120 women farmers across six states of the North East geopolitical zone.
Each beneficiary will receive 500,000 naira to enhance farming and agricultural activities.
Senator Tinubu announced that ten million naira will be allocated to each state coordinator of the initiative for onward distribution to 20 women farmers.
The initiative aims to encourage beneficiaries to expand into animal husbandry, fish farming, or poultry to boost local and national food production.
Additionally, 100 persons with disabilities in Borno state will receive 100,000 naira each to support their existing businesses as part of the Social Investment Programme.
Represented by the wife of the Vice president, Hajiya Nana Shettima, The First Lady emphasized the importance of agriculture in achieving sustainable development and food sufficiency, aligning with the broader national agenda.
She added that plans are underway to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to empower young male and female farmers, with the launch of young farmers clubs in public primary and secondary schools nationwide.
Correspondent Zainab Faruq who was at Maiduguri, the Borno state capital where the program was launched reports that the northeast zonal coordinator of the Renewed hope Initiative and Bauchi state first lady Hajiya Aishatu Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad as well as wives of northeastern state governors graced the occasion.governors graced the occasion.
