First Lady expands food security drive to vulnerable groups nationwide
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In a major boost to the Federal Government’s food security and social investment agenda, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has announced the expansion of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Food Outreach Scheme to reach even more vulnerable communities across the country.
Represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, at an RHI outreach event on Friday at the International Conference Centre in Umuahia, the First Lady emphasised that the programme has continued to deliver life-changing food assistance to women, persons with disabilities, and marginalised populations since its launch in March 2024.
According to a statement by Special Assistant to the President on Media and ICT, Office of the Vice President, Kwapchi Bata Hamman, the First Lady oversaw the handover of food supplies to Abia RHI Coordinator, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, the Wife of the State Governor.
She said: “As I hand over these essential food commodities to Abia State and the RHI State Coordinator, I urge the beneficiaries to use these items for the well-being of their families. We at RHI are implementing several impactful interventions that are touching lives across the nation, and we are pleased that our efforts are yielding positive outcomes.”
Since its launch, the Food Outreach Scheme has reached 11 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) including Benue, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Gombe, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, and Oyo.
The initiative is scheduled to reach Enugu and Kaduna next. Funded by The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) and an anonymous donor, the programme targets one state per month for food distribution.
The First Lady used the occasion to announce the rollout of several other new initiatives under RHI’s five core pillars—Social Investment, Economic Empowerment, Education, Health, and Agriculture—for the year 2025.
“Under Social Investment, RHI is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Environment to establish ‘The Environment Club’ for senior secondary school students and ‘The Environment Society’ for students in tertiary institutions nationwide. These initiatives aim to promote environmental cleanliness and tree planting.
“Under Economic Empowerment, RHI plans to disburse grants of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (₦200,000) each to 250 persons with disabilities in all 36 states and the FCT to support and recapitalise their small businesses.
“In the area of Education, the ‘Flow with Confidence’ programme will distribute 10,000 packs of sanitary pads—enough to last a year—to young girls, particularly those in rural communities. This initiative aims to help girls stay in school throughout their menstrual cycle,” Senator Tinubu said.
According to the First Lady, the programmes are designed to complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and to improve the lives of Nigerians across the country.
Senator Tinubu also commended wife of Abia Governor for her outstanding efforts and support in ensuring the success of the RHI Food Outreach and other related programmes in the state.
Governor Alex Otti, speaking on behalf of the Abia State Government, declared his administration’s readiness to partner with organisations like RHI that aim to uplift the vulnerable. He applauded Senator Tinubu’s commitment and the tangible impacts of the RHI outreach.
Receiving the items, Mrs. Priscilla Otti highlighted the significant impact of the Food Outreach on families in the state. “This intervention has transformed many lives,” she stated, assuring the First Lady of continuous support and affirming that items would be distributed to individuals from diverse backgrounds to meet the programme’s objectives.
Also, Managing Director of ASR Africa and representative of BUA, Dr. Ubon Udoh, lauded the sustainable impact of RHI’s work and pledged continued support from the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative.
