Ondo State Government Promotes Women’s Empowerment through Home Gardening and Urban Farming Techniques

In a significant move to bolster women’s development in the agricultural sector, the Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering women. This pledge was made during the first phase of the “Sensitisation on Home Gardening Initiative and Urban Farming Techniques,” organized by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in partnership with the Office of Gender Matters in Akure.

The event, which aimed to provide women with practical skills in home gardening and urban farming, featured lectures and demonstrations designed to enhance their agricultural knowledge. The initiative aligns with the government’s efforts to introduce life-changing programs for women across the state, highlighting the administration’s dedication to women-related development.

Deaconess Omolola Fagbemi, the Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for launching the Home Gardening Initiative project. She emphasized that this initiative is expected to significantly improve the financial status of women, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to the state’s economy and enhancing food security.

Addressing the high cost of food in the country, Deaconess Fagbemi attributed the issue to the decline in farming as a primary occupation. She criticized the “get-rich-quick” mentality prevalent among youths and urged them to invest time and energy in agriculture. “There must be a concerted effort by all to return to the basics in order to overcome the challenges of food insecurity,” she stated.

Chief Mrs. Olamide Falana, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Gender Matters, expressed gratitude to the attendees for their participation, despite the short notice. She announced that the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has allocated 20 million naira as an encouragement fund for outstanding women agripreneurs in all 36 states of the federation. She urged the women to implement the knowledge gained from the event and to share it with others for wider benefit.

The event featured lectures by Professor Bola Oniya from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), and Hon. Basiru Oluwole, Vice Chairman of Ondo West Local Government. Their discussions focused on practical aspects of home gardening and urban farming techniques, with tools and materials available for hands-on demonstrations.

Notable attendees included Chief Mrs. Olufunke Adu, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Market Women Relations, Hon. Mrs. Bayo Aina (JP), the Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Mobilization and Mr Tope Lebile, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry amongst others.