Food security: Sanwo-Olu's wife disburses N46million to 260 beneficiaries

As part of measures to address food shortages, the Lagos State First Lady, Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has disbursed the sum of N46million to 260 beneficiaries in Lagos State under the agricultural support initiative.

Mrs Sanwo-Olu made the disclosure while delivering her keynote address at the official launch of the Lagos chapter of the Renewed Hope Initiative- Agricultural Support Programme (RHI-ASP) 2025 at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja.

The agricultural support initiative which was initiated by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, comprises four core project components: Women Agricultural Support (WASP), Youth Agricultural Support Programme (YASP), Every Home A Garden (EHAG) and Young Farmers Club (YFC).

The First Lady of Lagos has taken it upon herself to promote the initiative where Lagosians will key in, to ensure food security and availability across the State.

Under the Women and Youths Agricultural Support Programme, each beneficiary got a grant of N200,000 along with  farming inputs to enhance their productivity while the Every Home A Garden, each properly registered participant received N100,000.

Also, 120 vibrant student representatives who attended the programme, from 24 schools across the six education districts will partake in the Young Farmers Club 2.0 project.

Mrs Sanwo-Olu said, "This remarkable event is taking place today under the visionary leadership of the Mother of the Nation, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellence Distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

"Through her Renewed Hope Initiative, Her Excellence has prioritized agriculture as a core area of focus since the inception of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu 

"For this year, we have decided to adopt senatorial districts and online participation for greater inclusion. In the coming years, we hope to expand further to include professional categories, people with special needs and faith-based methodology for more inclusive participation."

She noted, "A sum of N200,000 has been transferred to each of the 200 beneficiaries present here under the Women and Youth Agricultural Support Programme. In addition, N100,000 each is being disbursed to 60 beneficiaries under the Every Home A Garden Initiative.

"I believe the documentary shown earlier bears testimony to the remarkable impacts our beneficiaries and Young Farmers Club have already made at the grassroots level.

"For me, the Lagos story is changing and it is changing for the best. We will build a Lagos where no one goes hungry. A Lagos where our women and youths are financially independent. A Lagos where we can boldly say: Agriculture is not just our heritage, it is our future."

In her goodwill message, the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat commended the initiative, saying "This is yet another indication showcasing leadership with purpose."

Mrs Hamzat added, "I am pleased with our beneficiaries who are contributing to the agricultural value chain in Lagos State. We are witnessing today, a new wave of opportunities.

"What you got today is a seed, when you plant a seed, you reap abundance. The future of this country has to do with small seed planted for a successful future."

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food System, Ms Abisola Olusanya commended the participants, saying "you are contributing to the food security of our State to reduce pressure on our markets.

"We have seen millionaires emerging from our empowerment programmes," adding that the beneficiaries should take advantage of the programme to boost food surplus.