First Lady Expands Food Support Programme to Help Vulnerable Nigerians

(Food outreach. Photo by News Telegrahp)

Under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the president’s wife, has stepped up efforts to combat poverty and child malnutrition by establishing neighborhood food banks and expanding food outreach programs.

As vulnerable groups benefited from the RHI Social Investment Programme Food Outreach Scheme held in Akure, the state capital, the initiative which aims to improve access to healthy food and develop community support systems was extended to Ondo State.

Represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, Mrs Tinubu said the intervention forms part of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s commitment to supporting vulnerable Nigerians and ensuring children have the opportunity to grow, remain healthy and thrive.

She explained that the Food Outreach Scheme was launched in March 2024 to provide food items to persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, thereby supporting their families and improving their well-being.

Noting that the programme was made possible through the commitment of two donors who provide two truckloads of food items to the Renewed Hope Initiative every month, allowing two states to benefit monthly.

She identified the donors as the Abdusamad Rabiu Africa Initiative and another who preferred anonymity, adding that the consignment delivered to Ondo State came from the Abdusamad Rabiu Africa Initiative.

The First Lady said the Renewed Hope Initiative complements President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by supporting Nigerians to pursue their aspirations irrespective of their circumstances or status, while addressing food insecurity and malnutrition.

She commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his commitment to the welfare and development of the people of the state, and also praised the governor’s wife, Mrs Oluwaseun Esther Aiyedatiwa, for her dedication to the successful implementation of Renewed Hope Initiative programmes and support for vulnerable groups.

In his remarks, Governor Aiyedatiwa described the intervention as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to alleviating poverty and supporting vulnerable Nigerians, saying the programme went beyond food distribution to represent a celebration of compassion, solidarity and shared commitment to improving the lives of the less privileged.

He commended the Renewed Hope Initiative for its vision and dedication to identifying and addressing pressing community needs, while also praising President Tinubu’s administration for supporting the initiative, describing it as a reflection of the President’s commitment to reducing poverty nationwide.

He reaffirmed Ondo State’s loyalty to Federal Government programmes, noting that such initiatives had positively impacted the Sunshine State, and reiterated his administration’s political support for President Tinubu, declaring that Ondo State had already endorsed him for the 2027 presidential election and would remain resolute in delivering en masse for his second-term bid.

The governor said the outreach aligns with his administration’s “Our Ease” Development Agenda, particularly its focus on promoting the welfare, dignity and resilience of women, children and families, stressing that food security remains central to human dignity and social stability, since adequate access to food enables children to learn better, reduces the burden on parents and strengthens the workforce.

He assured that his administration would continue pursuing policies to enhance food availability, affordability and access across the state, urging beneficiaries to view the programme as part of ongoing efforts to build resilient communities through social investments that uphold human dignity.

Governor Aiyedatiwa appreciated the organisers of the event, led by his wife, Mrs Esther Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Seun Osamaye, and other stakeholders, for the programme’s success.

In her welcome address, Mrs Esther Aiyedatiwa, represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Abosede Adelami, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to the objectives of the Renewed Hope Initiative, pledging continued collaboration with the Federal Government to expand support for vulnerable residents through social intervention programmes.

She described the food outreach as a demonstration of compassionate leadership, stressing that it was not only about distributing food items but also about restoring dignity, extending compassion and reaffirming commitment to the welfare of the people.

While expressing appreciation to Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her commitment to supporting vulnerable families across the country and noting that the First Lady’s vision has consistently focused on bringing hope, relief and practical support to women, children, persons with disabilities, widows and other vulnerable groups.

In his goodwill message, the Managing Director of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative, Dr Ubin Udoh, said the organisation was proud to partner with the Renewed Hope Initiative in supporting interventions that provide relief.

Restore dignity, build resilient communities and help people prosper, explaining that ASR Africa is the personal philanthropic fund of Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group, established in 2021 with an annual commitment of $100 million to provide interventions and solutions in health, education and social development.