as WOFCTTRA, FCT WOMEN AFFAIRS SECRETARIAT CELEBRATE RURAL WOMEN
By Queen Kunde
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged rural women to embrace agriculture and other economic opportunities to improve their livelihoods, strengthen food security and achieve financial independence.
She made the call at the 2026 International Rural Women’s Day celebration organised by the Wives of FCT Traditional Rulers Association (WOFCTTRA) in collaboration with the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat.
Represented by Hailmary Aipoh, the First Lady acknowledged the vital contributions of rural women to food production, family welfare and community development, urging them to take advantage of available agricultural and empowerment programmes.
She described grassroots women as important partners in agricultural development and national economic growth, stressing the need to equip them with the resources and opportunities to improve their standard of living.
The event brought together women from the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory to celebrate their resilience, recognise their contributions and promote practical ways of improving their economic well-being.
President of WOFCTTRA and wife of the Ona of Abaji, Hauwa Adamu Yunusa, said the celebration provided an opportunity to recognise the sacrifices of rural women and renew calls for greater support for their economic independence.
She stressed the importance of empowering women with the skills, resources and opportunities needed to grow their businesses, increase household incomes and contribute meaningfully to community development.
Stakeholders at the event also called for improved access to finance, agricultural inputs, modern farming resources and sustainable business opportunities for women in rural communities.
They emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among government, traditional institutions and development partners to address the challenges limiting rural women’s participation in agriculture and other productive economic activities.
The celebration climaxed with the presentation of grinding machines and cash support to selected women to strengthen small-scale businesses, encourage entrepreneurship and improve household incomes.
For the beneficiaries, the intervention offered renewed hope of building sustainable livelihoods and becoming more financially independent.
The organisers said sustained investment in rural women would not only improve their welfare but also strengthen food security, reduce poverty and accelerate development across the FCT.