Poverty alleviation: Adamawa First Lady empowers over 500 women,Youth, students through Agriculture

In a bold step to revive Nigeria’s agricultural heritage and inspire a new generation of farmers, Her Excellency Hajiya Lami Ahmadu Fintiri has concluded the distribution of over 500 agricultural empowerment items to women, youths, and students across Adamawa State.

The event marked the end of a 2-day workshop themed “Catch Them Young”, organized in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Renewed Hope Initiative. It targeted beneficiaries from all 21 LGAs and 31 secondary schools across the state.

The event took place at the premises of the Banquet Hall in Government House, Yola with the vision to empower the people of Adamawa in securing the future and alleviating poverty through agriculture.

Her Excellency used the occasion to call for a revival of school gardening programs, a once cherished tradition that teaches children responsibility, sustainability, and the value of food production.

She stressed the need for proactive engagement of women, youth, and students, encouraging them to embrace agriculture not just as an occupation, but as a way of life.

Hajiya Lami Fintiri praised the vision behind the initiative introduced by Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON, First Lady of Nigeria, through the Agricultural Support Programme of the Renewed Hope Initiative (ASP-RHI).

She described the programme as both timely and transformative, aimed at empowering women, nurturing the youth, and reigniting national interest in agriculture through early exposure.

Mrs. Fintiri emphasized that the initiative equips young people with tools and knowledge to become nation-builders, not just farmers.

Agriculture, she said, is a symbol of hope, discipline, and innovation, a sector that drives the economy, feeds families, and builds resilient communities.

She highlighted that parents who teach their children to farm are teaching them values such as patience, hard work, and self-reliance. Through the Young Farmers Clubs now being established in Junior Secondary Schools, the goal is to raise a generation that sees farming as a dignified and rewarding career, not a punishment.

Speaking directly to the students present, Her Excellency encouraged them to take pride in their roles. She described them as the heartbeat of the initiative, planting not just seeds, but the very future of Nigeria with every effort they make in agriculture.

Hajiya Lami applauded the resilience of Adamawa women, mothers, farmers, entrepreneurs, and emphasized their central role in agricultural transformation. She noted that by empowering women through initiatives like this, entire communities gain strength, food security, and prosperity.

Her Excellency Hajiya Lami Ahmadu Fintiri expressed deep appreciation to Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her unwavering commitment to youth and women empowerment.

She also thanked the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for their strategic support, State Ministry of Agriculture and the State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for helping to take this message to every corner of the state.

She assured that Adamawa State would fully embrace the programme by mobilizing schools, communities, and local leaders to ensure the initiative succeeds. Her call was clear: empower women, engage the youth, and sow vision in the children for a richer, greener Nigeria.

The State Ministry of Agriculture actively participated in the event, delivering lectures on the significance of agriculture in national development
.
Also speaking on behalf of the 31 participating schools, Alhaji Musa Mohammed, a senior school principal, thanked the organizers for involving students. He pledged that schools would take the Young Farmers Club seriously and continue promoting agricultural awareness.

Among the dignitaries present are Hon. Neido G. Kofulto, Commissioner of Women Affairs, Mrs. Edgar Sunday Amos, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Birdan Kemuel, Executive Secretary, Post Primary Schools Management Board, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Wives of Local Government Chairmen from the 21 LGAs, Officials of the Ministry of Agriculture.

A statement signed by Senior Special Assistant on media to the first Lady, Mr 𝐈𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐲𝐚 𝐁𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬 and made available to this medium said the event was coloured with the Distribution of agricultural items by Hajiya Lami Fintiri, and musical performances celebrating agriculture.

Items distributed: Fertilizer and ₦50,000 cash grants for beneficiaries, Fingerlings for fish farming, Water pumps, goats for rearing, grinding machines, and chicks for poultry.

Agricultural tools and materials for schools: seeds, hoes, wheelbarrows, uniforms for Young Farmers Clubs, and cash support.