Springtime Development Foundation, CWEMA Train Over 500 Women in Organic Farming To Support Osun Govt
Making a priority of food security and women empowerment, Springtime Development Foundation, in collaboration with Seeds of Wealth Project Ltd, and the Champion Women Entrepreneur Mentoring Association (CWEMA), partnered with Osun State Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Social Welfare to train over 500 women across Osun State in organic home farming.
The intensive three-day training, which held from April 28th to 30th, 2025, at the Foundation’s Ede headquarters office, brought together participants from the 30 Local Government Areas and the Area Office.
The women were taught practical, space-efficient methods of growing vegetables, crops, rearing chickens and breeding snails organically, as well as empowering them to produce healthy food and generate income from their homes.
In his opening remarks, the Vice Chairman Springtime Development Foundation, Sir Banji Adesuyi welcomed the participants to the programme organised to enhance sustainable agriculture, combat food crisis in Nigeria and ensure safe consumption with organic products.
He reiterated the objective, vision and mission of the foundation in line with supporting the government of Governor Ademola Adeleke, adding that its doors are open to development programmes via partnership.
The training session carried out by Mrs Tomi Olatoye (organic vegetables/crops planting, Adesoji Saka (chicken rearing) and Dr Mrs Olakiitan Wellington (Snail breeding) gave insights into various organic farming tactics that are healthy for human consumption, and economical benefits of marketing the products was also addressed.
At the closing ceremony, held at SDF open ground, His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke in his address commended the organisers for the initiative and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to women empowerment.
Maintaining that Agriculture is a top venture in boosting the economy and enhancing livelihood, he stated that Osun state, will continue to provide an enabling environment for its teeming populace.
Congratulating the beneficiaries for dedication to the training, Governor Adeleke pledged financial support to all participants in addition to the seedlings and farming tools distributed to them free of charge for usage in their various homes at Osun local governments.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Children and Social Welfare, Hon. Mrs. Ayobola Fadeyi Awolowo gave a heartfelt vote of thanks, commending Springtime Development Foundation chaired by Dr Adedeji Adeleke, she expressed appreciation to the facilitators, as well as Governor Adeleke for his unwavering support for women across the state.
She applauded the organisers for the sessions which include container gardening, composting, organic fertilization, and space optimization, adding that the training equipped women with essential skills for sustainable agriculture.
Earlier, the President of Champion Women Entrepreneurs Mentoring Association, Dr. Mrs Olakiitan Wellington stated that CWEMA aims to empower women through urban agriculture, to grow their own food, improve their wellbeing and even earn income.
She listed the organic farming training as growing foods like yam, cocoyam, vegetables, jute leaves, cucumber, sweet potatoes, peppers, rearing chickens and breeding snails among others.
She added that CWEMA and Seeds of Wealth Project Ltd are glad of the partnership with Springtime Development Foundation and the impact that the organic farming training recorded.
Highlight of closing ceremony was the symbolic presentation of certificates to the participants by Dr. Chief (Mrs.) Yeyeluwa Modupeola Sanni Adeleke, and the distribution of farming appliances and seedlings, as well as appreciation songs to Governor Ademola Adeleke for good governance.
The impactful initiative which was declared an annual program, revealed its official designation as “Veronica Adeleke Women Empowerment Scheme” (VAWES).
Dignitaries at the event include Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security Otunba Tola Faseru, Commissioner for Political and Intergovernmental Affairs Dr Biyi Odunlade, the Permanent Secretary of the Women Affairs Ministry, Barr. Abimbola Babatunde, Permanent Secretary Agriculture and Food Security Mr Olawale Maroof, CWEMA Vice President Mrs Adenike Yomi-Faseun, CEO SDF Pst Dr Olayabu Samuel, Hon. Felicia Adeniran, Chairman Ayedaade LGA, her Ejigbo counterpart Mrs Sofoluwe Nafisat, and the wives of local government chairmen statewide led by Mrs. Monishade Awotunde, wife of the ALGON Chairman among others.