The British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF), on Monday distributed poultry packages to 50 women with disabilities engaged in the enterprise in Edo.
Speaking during the distribution exercise in Benin, Mr Oludare Odusanya, General Manage, BATNF, said the beneficiaries were carefully selected for the empowerment programme.
Odusanya, represented by Sadiq Waziri, Executive Director, Eco-lead Imperial Engineering and Global Resources Ltd., also said that the initiative aimed to promote sustainable poultry farming and improve rural livelihoods.
According to him, we firmly believe that by investing in our communities, especially in the capable hands of resilient and enterprising women, we are planting the seeds for a brighter and more prosperous future for Edo.
He noted that the initiative went beyond the distribution of resources, as it sought to promote development, resilience and economic empowerment within communities.
“Poultry farming is now a transformative enterprise, providing not only a sustainable source of income, but also advancing food security and strengthening community cohesion,” he said.
The general manager added that the foundation would continue to provide support, awareness programmes and other resources to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the project.
He expressed appreciation to the state Ministry of Livestock Development for its support, noting that the partnership had been critical to the success of the initiative.
Odusanya commended Eco-lead Imperial Engineering and Global Resources Limited for its efforts in implementing the programme.
He disclosed that since its establishment in 2002, the foundation had supported federal and state governments in agricultural development initiatives with investment of more than four billion naira in programmes aimed at assisting rural smallholder farmers.
According to him, no fewer than 1.3 million people have benefited from the foundation’s interventions.
He added that the organisation aimed to double the number of beneficiaries over the next decade through increased support to smallholder farmers across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Odusanya assured the state government of the foundation’s continued commitment to supporting the socio-economic and agricultural development of smallholder farmers and women in the state.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Mr Ignatius Omorodion, commended BATNF and its implementing partner for the empowerment initiative.
Omorodion, represented by the Director of Veterinary Services in the ministry, Thomas Haruna, said the state government had initiated several programmes aimed at improving the livelihoods of residents.
He disclosed that the ministry was collaborating with partners including the World Bank and the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to implement projects that would benefit farmers, particularly persons with disabilities.
“Many projects will come up this year, and by God’s grace Edo farmers will benefit,” he said.
In her remarks, the Chairperson, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Edo Chapter, Ann Ojugu, expressed appreciation to BATNF, Edo government and the state Ministry of Livestock Development for the initiative.
Ojugu urged the beneficiaries to make effective use of the resources provided, noting that the empowerment programme was intended to improve their livelihoods and income.
‘’If properly utilised, the support can significantly transform the beneficiaries’ lives and help them achieve financial independence rather than relying on family members or friends,” she said.
themomentng reports that poultry packages distributed include 200 ten-week-old Noiler birds, 200 bags of specially formulated poultry feed and 200 essential multivitamins.
