First Lady Praises Garden Contestants, Calls Selection Process Challenging

The First Lady, Remi Tinubu has said  the selection of the prospective winner for #EveryHomeAgarden competition is a painstaking one as all entries from various states show that participants are probable winners.

She was speaking after the meeting with the Board and friends of the organizers of the competition, Renewed Hope Initiative RHI at the State House Abuja where the winning entries from the States and FCT were being reviewed.

The first lady in a statement by her media aide, Busola Kukoyi explained that the RHI is committed to supporting women farmers nationwide in alignment with the broader national agenda to strengthen the agricultural sector.

“This selection process of the best 3 from the states that submitted entries is a tough one. These women did so so well and that is why I said even if they do not come out the overall winner, they must be compensated,“ she said.

She said the competition is part of the food security revolution of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and in furtherance to promoting women inclusion, particularly farmers across the country.

Senator Tinubu also noted that the competition which commenced in February is aimed at inculcating the habit of farming and food production in the society right from the family, to promote eating healthy foods and sustainable farming.

Some of the RHI board members involved in the selection process including the wife of the Vice President Hajia Nana Shetimma noted that it was really hard to get winners due to how good the gardens were.

Hajia Nana Shettima, also commended the first lady for leading by example and for encouraging women in the country to be part of the food security drive of this administration.

“To select the winner is something that is not easy but the particular message of the first lady to everyone is that you can feed yourself and later extend it to your neighbours.

“Therefore, they have done us proud to be part of this wonderful programme,’’ Shettima said.

The wife of the Senate President Mrs Ekaette Akpabio and the wife of the Deputy Senate President, Mrs Barau Jibrin while sharing their experiences during the exercise also said that the selection process was not easy.

According to Mrs Akpabio, “My experience for the selection was challenging because every one of them did very well”.

“It is not easy to be a farmer, for most of them are first farmers, and that is the beauty of it and they are all creative, nobody could imagine that someone could use old tires, some of them used sacks to grow their crops.

“What they presented was amazing, that made it challenging for us to pick the prospective winner, I wish each and every one of them the best, I pray that whoever that wins will grow into being a big farmer.’’

On her part, Hajia Jibrin Barau encouraged every Nigerian to continue with home gardening in the future even after the conclusion of the competition, adding that the beauty of it all is that they could feed themselves and share with their neighbours.

According to the wife of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hajia Fatima Tajudeen Abass, they all did well, saying it was difficult to make a choice.

Mrs Salamatu Gbajabiamila, the wife of the chief of staff to the President said, “All entries were highly commendable, very good and impressive, I don’t personally have a green thumb, I was impressed to see how well the women did, it is amazing what you can do at home no matter the size.

“Some people planted in bottled water containers, some planted in the ground, the varieties of the vegetables that were grown were quite impressive.

“Most importantly, the spirit of neighborliness was evident , however, it is going to be very hard to pick a winner, even narrowing it down to three today was quite difficult”.

The wife of Imo State Governor, Barr. Chioma Uzodimma also said that from her experience, due to the quality of gardens that were presented, `the women challenged themselves and it was tough to pick a winner.

“Regardless of who wins, I wish them all the best,” Uzodimma said.

The first lady, Senator Tinubu, proceeded to her garden within the State House and harvested some fresh vegetables, such as Jute leaves, okra, and lemon grass, for her guests.

The winner of the Renewed Hope Initiative Powered #EVERY Home a Garden Competition will be announced in December 2024.