According to a report from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, the Wife of the Kwara Governor, demonstrated her commitment to women empowerment by presenting N500,000 cheques to women farmers across the state's 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs).

During the presentation of the cheques as part of the Renewed Hope Initiative Agricultural Support Programme, AbdulRazaq lauded the efforts of Sen. Oluremi Tinubu for initiating the Renewed Hope Initiative, emphasizing its potential to uplift the lives of beneficiaries and enhance food sufficiency nationwide.

Encouraging the recipients to utilize the funds to expand their agricultural endeavors, AbdulRazaq urged them to become role models in the sector, aligning with the state government's dedication to promoting agriculture and advancing food production.

”This exercise no doubt aligns with the Kwara government’s commitment to promoting agriculture and boosting food production on a broader scale of the national agenda to strengthen the agriculture sector in the country.

“This is evident in the many interventions of the state government in the agriculture sector, proffering support to farmers to build their capacities and increase their yield.

”Complementing this feat of the state government, my office and the Ajike People Support Centre have also presented farm inputs to female farmers and trained youth farmers in the use of technology to maximise their yield,” she said.

The governor’s wife urged stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, and non-governmental organisations, to work together to support local farmers to ensure food security in the nation at large.

She enjoined the beneficiaries to explore hybrid seed options, and ensure good irrigation systems.

”You should also use previous mistakes to guide your future plans and stay open to employing creative and low-cost options to equip your farms with current advances in technology.”

The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Saba Mamman, encouraged the women to ensure the fund was used for farming purposes and not for other things.

Mamman said government would visit the farms of beneficiaries in order to encourage them.

A former president of the Society of Women Farmers of Nigeria (SWOFON), Mrs Bose Anifowose, in her appreciation remarks, appreciated the governor’s wife for the kind gesture shown women farmers in the state.

Anifowose assured that the funds would be used judiciously in order to combat food insecurity in the country at large.(NAN)