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The Director-General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Chukwuemeka Woke, has disbursed N150 million in grants to over 300 farmers in Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State. This initiative, dubbed the Renewed Hope Back-to-Farm-Support Initiative, aims to provide financial support to small-scale farmers, enabling them to rent land, purchase seedlings, and cover clearing and weeding costs.

The beneficiaries, comprising 200 women and supporters from various political parties, received N50,000 each. Woke emphasized that this initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s Back-to-Farm initiative.

Woke explained, “The goal is to empower these farmers so that by December, they can harvest their produce, especially cassava, and produce garri, which they can sell and make hundreds of thousands of naira.” He noted that Emohua people are known for subsistent farming but often struggle with financial burdens, such as land rental fees and clearing costs.

“However, for some, it is a financial burden to get parcels of land to farm on, which can cost N10,000 or more. Additionally, they would need to pay for clearing and weeding their farmlands at least twice before harvesting.

Woke emphasized, “The true essence of empowerment is empowering people for a cause, for survival, for sustainability, and that is what the Renewed Hope Initiative stands for.” This initiative is expected to positively impact the beneficiaries’ lives and contribute to the state’s food security.

Dr. Benibo George, PDP State Secretary, praised the initiative, calling it a true definition of human development. Tony Okocha, APC State Chairman, thanked the initiative’s coordinator and urged beneficiaries to use the grant judiciously. One beneficiary, Uchechukwu Otuonu, expressed gratitude and promised to utilize the grant wisely.

The Renewed Hope Initiative is part of the federal government’s efforts to boost agriculture and empower small-scale farmers nationwide. Similar initiatives have been launched in other states, such as the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative, which supported women farmers in the South West Zone with N500,000 each.

The Renewed Hope Initiative is part of the federal government’s efforts to boost agriculture and empower small-scale farmers nationwide.

Dr. Benibo George, representing the PDP State Chairman, commended the initiative, saying, “This is a true definition of human development. I urge the beneficiaries to make good use of the grant.”

Tony Okocha, APC State Chairman, also thanked the coordinator of the initiative, saying, “On behalf of the Renewed Hope Family and the leader of the Renewed Hope Family in the state, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nyesom Wike, I express our gratitude for this initiative.”

Okocha urged the beneficiaries to utilize the grant wisely, emphasizing the importance of agriculture in the state. “The Renewed Hope Initiative is part of the federal government’s efforts to boost agriculture and empower small-scale farmers across the country,” he said.

Some beneficiaries expressed their gratitude and promised to utilize the grants effectively. One of the beneficiaries, Uchechukwu Otuonu, said, “I feel happy among the beneficiaries of this gesture because it is rare, but I pray God to replenish the pocket where this comes from. I want to assure the organizers that this will be judiciously put to good use.”

Another beneficiary, Mrs. Blessing Amadi, said, “I am very grateful for this grant. It will go a long way in supporting my farming business. I promise to make good use of it and also encourage others to benefit from this initiative.”

The event was attended by various stakeholders, including local government officials, traditional rulers, and community leaders. The initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of the beneficiaries and contribute to the overall food security of the state.

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