FG to Institutionalize First Lady’s Agric Projects in 2025

Folalumi Alaran reports that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has finalised plans to incorporate Agric projects initiated by the First Lady, Senator OluremiTinubu into its new National Urban Agriculture Programme.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has announced plans to institutionalize the agricultural programs of the pet project of the wife of the President, Senator OluremiTinubu, Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) under the newly adopted National Urban Agriculture Programme.

The initiative, including the #EveryHomeAGarden program, will be integrated into the ministry’s 2025 Budget to ensure sustainability and nationwide implementation.

Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator SabiAbdullahi, who disclosed this in Abuja at the unveiling of the winner of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s #EveryHomeAGarden competition highlighted the ministry’s commitment to leveraging its research institutes, agricultural colleges, and extension services to support home gardening and other agricultural innovations.

He noted that these efforts align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for food security and economic development.

The minister commended the #EveryHomeAGarden competition for promoting creativity and dedication to sustainable household farming practices.

He emphasized that the program’s success underscores the importance of home gardening as a solution to food insecurity and a pathway to better nutrition and livelihoods.

Meanwhile, 62 year-old retiree, Mrs. Veronica KidafaMbaya from Borno State has emerged  winner of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s #EveryHomeAGarden competition. She will receive a grand prize of ₦25 million, following an additional ₦5 million announced by the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADFUND).

National Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Senator OluremiTinubu, who announced the winner, commended the women who participated for their dedication to growing healthy food for their families and communities.

MrsTinubu encouraged women across Nigeria to embrace home gardening, emphasizing its role in fostering food security and community well-being.

She thanked state first ladies and RHI coordinators for their vital contributions.

According to the First Lady: “After careful deliberations, with gratitude to God, I am happy to announce that the winner of the Renewed Hope Initiative “#EveryHomeAGarden” Competition is Mrs. Veronica KidafaMbaya from Borno State. Congratulations to our winner”.

She said the other 19 contestants will each receive ₦2.5 million, including contributions from NADFUND, state first ladies, and the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

The competition, launched on October 25, 2023, aimed to promote home gardening as part of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s food security drive. According MrsTinubu, finalists were selected after thorough inspections by delegations led by wives of top government officials.

State-level participants also received ₦1 million each for their entries, showcasing the broad engagement and impact of the initiative.

The First Lady expressed gratitude to the  ministry of Agriculture and NADFUND for their support.

“In reviewing the entries, members of the RHI Governing Board sat down to thoroughly select the best three entries. Delegations headed by the wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the wife of the Deputy Senate President, and wife of the Chief of Staff travelled to Borno, FCT and Sokoto to inspect the gardens before selecting the overall winner, as we have just seen in the documentary.

“We were all very impressed with the quality of entries, making it hard to choose a winner. As we have promised, the winner of the #EveryHomeAGarden Competition will be going home today with the sum of Twenty Million Naira (N20,000,000.00).

“In addition, RHI Governing Board has graciously approved the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00) to the finalists from each State who submitted entries to the RHI Office. I have also been informed that State First Ladies/RHI Coordinators will be giving an additional One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00).

“As you have heard from the Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADFUND), Mr. Mohammed Abu Ibrahim who has graciously announced an additional Five Million Naira (N5,000,000) to the winner and Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) each to theother Nineteen (19) entries submitted, making it a total of Twenty-Five Million Naira (N25,000,000.00) to the winner and Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N2,500,000) each to the other contestants. We appreciate NADFUND for this support”.

MrsTinubu, however, urged participants to continue nurturing their gardens and inspire others to join the initiative, underscoring the importance of food security for all Nigerians.

Earlier in her welcome address, the National Vice Chairman of the RHI and wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, commended the creativity and dedication of the participants, highlighting the art and science of gardening and the resourcefulness displayed in the entries.

Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADFUND), Mr. Mohammed Abu Ibrahim, announced the additional prizes of N5 million and N500,000 each for the winner and the other 19 contestants respectively.