…RHI-ASP: 260 women, youth receive grants to strengthen food production
BENJAMIN OMOIKE
LAGOS, Nigeria — In a concerted effort to enhance food security and support agricultural development, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has disbursed a total of N46 million to 260 beneficiaries under the Renewed Hope Initiative–Agricultural Support Programme (RHI-ASP) 2025.
The initiative, launched on Thursday at the State House in Alausa, Ikeja, is part of a nationwide programme spearheaded by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. The Lagos State launch was marked by the distribution of grants and farming inputs to women, youths, and households to bolster agricultural productivity and self-reliance.
Delivering her keynote address, Dr. Sanwo-Olu described the programme as a bold step towards addressing the rising challenges of food insecurity and youth unemployment in the state.
“This remarkable event is taking place today under the visionary leadership of the Mother of the Nation, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu,” she said. “Through the Renewed Hope Initiative, agriculture has been prioritised as a key pillar of economic development.”
Under the Women and Youth Agricultural Support Programme (WASP/YASP), 200 beneficiaries each received grants of N200,000 along with essential farming inputs. Additionally, 60 beneficiaries under the Every Home A Garden (EHAG) project were each awarded N100,000 to promote backyard farming.
The initiative also included the Young Farmers Club (YFC) 2.0, which engaged 120 student representatives from 24 schools across the state’s six educational districts, fostering early agricultural education and practice.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu emphasised the importance of inclusive participation in agriculture, noting that future editions of the programme would adopt a more expansive approach to include persons with special needs, professional groups, and faith-based organisations.
“The Lagos story is changing,” she declared. “We envision a state where no one goes hungry, where our women and youths are financially empowered, and where agriculture is not just our heritage but our future.”
Also speaking at the event, the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, lauded the initiative, describing it as “leadership with purpose.”
“What you received today is a seed,” Mrs. Hamzat told beneficiaries. “When you plant a seed, you reap abundance. The future of this country depends on such seeds sown today for a prosperous tomorrow.”
The Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, also commended the beneficiaries for embracing the opportunity, stating that previous empowerment programmes have produced successful agripreneurs.
“You are contributing to the food security of our state and helping reduce pressure on our markets,” she said. “We have seen millionaires emerge from similar programmes. Take this opportunity seriously.”
The RHI-ASP comprises four core components: Women Agricultural Support Programme (WASP), Youth Agricultural Support Programme (YASP), Every Home A Garden (EHAG), and the Young Farmers Club (YFC), each aimed at fostering a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector.
