Renewed Hope Initiative: Lagos winner bags N2.5m in ‘Every Home A Garden’ contest
By Adeola Ogunrinde
Nwankwo Adaeze Glory from the Epe Division of Lagos State emerged as the winner of the Lagos edition of the Every Home A Garden competition, carting away a total of ₦2.5 million in prize money.
The competition, part of the Agriculture and Food Security Programme under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) of Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, aims to encourage women to engage in home gardening to tackle food shortages across the country.
Adaeze was recognized as the Lagos State winner on Monday at Lagos House, Ikeja, by the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu. Although Lagos did not produce the national winner, who took home ₦20 million, Adaeze’s exceptional performance in the national competition earned her ₦1 million from Nigeria’s First Lady and an additional ₦500,000 from the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADFUND).
In appreciation of her efforts, Dr. Sanwo-Olu awarded Adaeze another ₦1 million as the overall winner in Lagos, bringing her total prize to ₦2.5 million.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu further announced ₦500,000 for each of the four divisional winners from Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Badagry, and Ikeja. All 152 participants who reached the grand finale were also promised ₦100,000 each.
“I encourage you to sustain this passion for home gardening, incorporate it into your daily lives, and make it a sustainable way of life,” Dr. Sanwo-Olu urged the participants.
While expressing her commitment to continuing the initiative, she said its future depends on the directive of Nigeria’s First Lady.
The wife of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Oluremi Hamzat, praised the initiative, describing it as a step toward achieving a greater Lagos. “I encourage women to practice smart farming at home to strengthen agriculture and create a better future. We can feed ourselves as a nation,” she stated.
The Chairman of the Office of the First Lady Farmers’ Committee, Ayo Afuwape, highlighted the rigorous selection process. Out of 1,052 applications, 757 were shortlisted, with 250 making it to the final stage. The gardens were assessed based on criteria such as crop variety, space management, pest control strategies, community impact, and social media promotion.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, commended First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and Dr. Sanwo-Olu for spearheading the program in Lagos. He noted that it has taught Nigerians to live simply, save costs, and grow healthy vegetables.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, added that the program has sparked widespread interest in agriculture, stating, “We need to revive farming to feed ourselves. I thank the First Lady for taking up this challenge.”
Participants also lauded the initiative. Morenike Iyabo from Ikeja Division shared how the program transformed her lifestyle. “Since I started planting at home, I now eat healthier with what I grow myself, like tomatoes and vegetables. This program is an eye-opener, and we want it to continue,” she said.
