The Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority has reiterated that empowering women remains central to achieving food security and economic growth under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Managing Director of the authority, Alhaji Abubakar Malam, stated this on Wednesday during the flag-off of the distribution of solar-powered irrigation machines, livestock, and rice seedlings at the Zauro Polder Irrigation Project in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
Represented by the Executive Director, Planning and Design, Hon. Kabiru Ladan Maigoro, Malam said the livestock breeding initiative for women was in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, which aims to boost women’s economic well-being across the country.
He expressed optimism that the recent presidential declaration of emergency on food security was yielding results, stressing that the Federal Government’s efforts to expand irrigation farming, in collaboration with state governments’ efforts, would ensure the country meets its food security targets within record time.
Malam commended the leadership of Kebbi State under Governor Dr. Nasir Idris for sustaining its position as Nigeria’s agricultural hub with the strong backing of the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.
He noted that farming activities across the 21 local government areas of the state remain a major contributor to the nation’s food basket.
Earlier, the Programme Manager of the Zauro Polder Project, Hajiya Mariyatu Sulaiman, urged beneficiaries to make good use of the equipment provided, while the District Head of Ambursa, Alhaji Isa Haruna Rasheed, pledged the support of community leaders in ensuring that the items are not diverted or sold off.
The distribution exercise, coordinated by the Managing Director’s Technical Adviser, Alhaji Abubakar Bagudu (Dallatun Kalgo), and the Area Manager, Alhaji Mainasara Gwandu, was witnessed by top officials, including the Director of Administration and Supply, Alhaji Hassan Bawa, a representative of the State Chief Judge, Barrister Zainab Abubakar Koko, the APC Women Leader, and traditional rulers from Zauro and Kola.
Arewa PUNCH reports that various women groups from the three senatorial zones of the state benefited from the first phase of the programme. Items distributed included hundreds of solar-powered irrigation machines for farmers in Zauro, Ambursa, Augie, Argungu, Yauri, and Zuru, livestock for women groups, and improved rice seedlings for farmers in Augie.
