By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu has unveiled an outreach scheme targeting reduction in over-reliance on imported foods to feed the over 200 million population.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Africa’s most populous nation spends a whopping $10 billion annually on agro-imports, including wheat, rice, sugar, fish, and even tomato paste.
With 85 million hectares of arable land, agriculture according to a recent data contributes 35 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product and employs 35 per cent of our workforce.
The Nigerian First Lady during a visit to North East state of Yobe said the scheme will also create wealth and reduce poverty in the grassroot especially among women who are worst hit by effects of unemployment.
Representated by wife of the Vice President, Nana Kashim Shettima, Oluremi Tinubu explained that the initiative will provide women in agriculture with training, start-up kits and resources to promote agricultural production and advance food security, Director General Press and Media Affairs to Yobe State Governor, Mamman Mohammed said in a statement.
The First Lady said the programme, which aligns with national and state agricultural policies also targets senior citizens and people with special needs, and providing them free medical support assuring that 200 people will receive similar support in each of the 36 states across the country.
Earlier, wife of Yobe state governor, Hajiya Hafsat Mai Mala Buni, commended the first lady for the support extended to vulnerable persons in the state.
“l wish to register our profound gratitude and appreciation for your show of love and compassion as demonstrated with this visit and support to our people”, she stated.
Governor of the State, Mai Mala Buni represented by his deputy, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana, assured government support towards improving the lives of the people of the state.
The State chief executive said his administration would continue to support programmes that give women and vulnerable persons opportunities for economic empowerment.
