*Donates 35 bags of fertilisers to local female farmers in Saki Town, Oyo State
By Victor Okoye
Saki (Oyo State), Sept. 14, 2023 (NAN) The reigning Miss Africa, Precious Okoye, has urged governments of African countries to increase the support given to female farmers because they contribute a lot to food production and preservation.
Queen Precious Okoye made the call in Saki, Oyo State, during the implementation of her pet project on Agro-Industrialisation where she empowered more than 30 female farmers with 50kg bags of fertiliser.
She said it was in recognition of the contribution of women to farming that her PET project seeks to encourage local female farmers to keep up with agriculture.
The beauty queen added that this was because they contribute immensely to the growth of the economy, by helping to produce and preserve food.
”I am pleading with the governments and private sector across Nigeria and Africa to support me in this project, as I am looking at carrying out this project in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria and further on in Africa.
”This is to help female farmers to be more productive, save their time and energy and also get the job done.
“These women are going through so much and usually farm with their bare hands and we can make their lives better and also create more job opportunities for them,” Okoye said.
She urged governments to support women farmers with fertilisers and farm implements which can make their lives easier.
“If I as an individual can do this, I imagine what the government can do.
“It needs willingness on the part of the government to encourage local food production than importing from South Africa and Europe.
“With these local farmers we can help our GDP and boost the economy for sustainability.”
In his remarks at the occasion, the Okere of Saki, Khalid Olabisi, the Ado Oyedepo III, congratulated Okoye for emerging as Miss Africa.
“I think this is the first of its kind in Nigeria. I also want to commend her on her choice of pet project which is to assist female farmers.
“As we all know, Saki is known for farming by both the male and female, and this will boost the number of female that will go into farming if this kind of project is done yearly.
“We thank God for her life and her presence here will encourage other young girls to see her for the first time here, as Miss Africa, in their domain.
“It will inspire them and make them work hard and aspire to be one in the future,” Olabisi said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Aderemilekun Ojo, commended Okoye, praying that God should bless her.
”We can do much with what was given to us, and we will surely utilise them,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Precious Okoye is a 27-year-old Botany graduate from the University of Lagos.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
