Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for the return to gardening, a time-honoured tradition that sustained our forefathers and families.
She made this known during the distribution of farm inputs and financial grants to 400 farmers under the Renewed Hope Initiative’s Agricultural Support Program, which was organised in collaboration with the You Matter Charity Foundation and held in Asaba.
Represented by the wife of the Delta State Governor, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, she stated that the ‘Every Home a Garden’ initiative underscores the importance of home gardening as a tool to reduce economic hardship for families.
“The beauty of it is that it’s not limited by gender or age. Growing your food helps promote healthier eating, improves your diet, and provides fresh, nutritious produce,” she said.
Mrs. Tinubu further noted: “You will agree that we can grow our food. The earth is blessed for our sake when you plant, it germinates and yields a plentiful harvest.
“The essence of this initiative is to bring us back on track and increase food production nationwide. This is about feeding your family and sharing with your neighbours.”
While emphasising that gardening can still benefit families today, she reiterated the crucial role of agriculture in achieving food security, creating employment and driving economic growth.
She expressed delight at seeing women, young farmers in secondary schools, youths, and cooperative groups becoming actively involved in farming.
“Gardening, a time-honoured tradition, sustained our forefathers and can still benefit families today”.
She announced that four categories of beneficiaries, women, youths, secondary school students, and farming groups, were selected to receive various farm implements and seedlings for the initiative.
In her welcome address, the wife of the Delta State Governor, Mrs. Tobore Oborevwori, represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Catherine Onyeme, said the event was dedicated to empowering student farmers, women, youths, and cooperative farming groups in Delta.
“Today’s event reflects our unwavering commitment to equipping farmers with the tools and financial support they need to thrive.
Also speaking at the event, Delta State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Val Arenyeka, underscored the essential role of farmers in ensuring food security, stressing that without farmers, there would be no food and urged the people to embrace farming for food sufficiency.
The Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Harry Triakriowei, appreciated Mrs. Tinubu for including Delta youths in her Renewed Hope Initiative, which aims to improve food security and generate income through agriculture.