62-year-old retiree wins N20 million in #EveryHomeAGarden competition

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has commended all women who participated in the recently concluded #EveryHomeAGarden competition, describing them as contributors to food security in the country.

According to a statement released on Wednesday by Busola Kukoyi, Senior Special Assistant on Media in the Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Tinubu made the remarks during the unveiling of the competition’s winner, which began in October 2023.

The First Lady acknowledged the immense contributions of women to nation-building and emphasized their critical role in the agricultural sector and the food revolution drive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

“I am glad to see that this competition has created a positive awareness of home gardening among women across the country. I commend our first-time women farmers for their passion and dedication to ensuring food security for their families and neighbors. Well done,” she said.

Senator Tinubu highlighted the challenge in selecting a winner from the 20 entries submitted from 19 states and the FCT to the office of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

“In reviewing the entries, members of the RHI Governing Board thoroughly assessed the top three submissions. Delegations led by the wives of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Deputy Senate President, and the Chief of Staff to the President visited Borno, the FCT, and Sokoto to inspect the gardens before making the final selection, as shown in the documentary. The quality of entries was impressive, making it difficult to choose a winner. I know you are all eager to find out who the winner is,” she said.

“Finally, after careful deliberations and with gratitude to God, I am happy to announce that the winner of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s #EveryHomeAGarden competition is Mrs. Veronica Kidafa Mabaya from Borno State. Congratulations to our winner,” she added.

In addition, Mohammed Ibrahim, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADFUND), pledged support for women farmers, offering training opportunities and additional cash rewards for the winner and other finalists.

The winner, Veronica Kidafa Mabaya, a 62-year-old retiree from Borno State, received N20 million from the RHI, N5 million from NADFUND, and N1 million from the Borno State Government. The other 19 finalists each received N1 million from the RHI, N1 million from their respective state governments, and N500,000 from NADFUND.