The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has disbursed N10m grant of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Bola Tinubu, to 20 women, involved in various agricultural chains, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for the development of their farms.
The Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Mrs (Dr) Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, while presenting N500,000 cheques to each of the beneficiaries in Abuja on Friday,
explained that the grant is part of the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative, to support and empower women in the North Central zone of Nigeria, through the women agricultural support programme.
Benjamins-Laniyi said the 20 women, who were selected from the six area councils of the FCT, would also get a free health insurance scheme from the Health Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
She stated that the grant is not a palliative on behalf of the First Lady of this administration, but a grant to show that this government cannot shine without touching the lives of people at the grassroots.
Benjamins-Laniyi noted that it is through the instrumentality of a woman that government can touch most communities, which, according to her, is the message of the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady.
She said the Mandate Secretary of the Women Affairs Secretariat has the mandate of investing in women, saying, however, that such investment must be used in investing in the prosperity of the FCT altogether, adding that the secretariat is unifying women for global impact.
Speaking earlier, the permanent secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat, Alhaji Adetoyi Rabiu Kolawole, noted that the N500,000 grant to the 20 women for agricultural programme is a testament to the First Lady’s unwavering commitment to supporting women’s economic empowerment and financial independence.
Kolawole said the initiative would not only enhance the livelihoods of these women, but also have a ripple effect on their families and communities, adding that the initiative aligns with the secretariat’s mission, which aims at promoting gender equality and empowering women.
The permanent secretary reminded the beneficiaries that the secretariat would monitor their effective use of the fund, adding that the beneficiaries are the change agents needed progress and development of the country.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Victoria Sani, who is poultry farmer, resident in Kurudu community of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), said she is very excited to be among the women beneficiaries of the grant, adding that she would use it to improve her poultry farm.