The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has assured vulnerable Nigerians of sustained support through the Food Outreach Scheme of the Renewed Hope Initiative, as the programme extended its reach to Ogun State with the distribution of food items to disadvantaged groups.
Senator Tinubu gave the assurance on Wednesday at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, during the distribution of food items to vulnerable residents of the state.
Represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, the First Lady said the initiative was designed to complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by providing direct assistance to families and individuals facing economic hardship.
She said the programme reflected the commitment of the Renewed Hope Initiative to improving family welfare and ensuring that vulnerable Nigerians received support, irrespective of their social status.
“This Food Outreach Scheme is to complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration by ensuring that every Nigerian is catered for, irrespective of their social status,” she said.
The First Lady explained that the scheme had been sustained through the contributions of two donors who provide two truckloads of food items to the Renewed Hope Initiative every month.
She identified one of the donors as the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative, while the other had chosen to remain anonymous.
According to her, the outreach had covered the Federal Capital Territory and 31 other states, with Ogun becoming the latest beneficiary of the nationwide intervention.
Senator Tinubu expressed appreciation to the donors for their generosity and continued commitment to supporting vulnerable Nigerians.
She also commended Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and his wife, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, for their efforts to improve the welfare of residents.
In his remarks, Governor Abiodun commended the Renewed Hope Initiative for extending its support to vulnerable groups in the state, describing care for disadvantaged citizens as an important measure of a society’s commitment to the well-being of its people.
The governor said the strength of a society should not be measured solely by the wealth it generates but also by how it cares for people whose needs are often overlooked.
He stressed that addressing poverty required a comprehensive approach that went beyond financial assistance to include healthcare, nutrition, education, skills development, employment and opportunities for self-reliance.
Abiodun identified the elderly, persons living with disabilities, widows, disadvantaged children and vulnerable households as groups requiring sustained attention through government policies and social intervention programmes.
He commended Senator Tinubu for complementing the Federal Government’s economic reforms with initiatives aimed at cushioning the immediate effects of economic challenges on vulnerable Nigerians.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting programmes that promote social inclusion, food security, agriculture, youth empowerment and access to essential services.
He also urged government officials, community leaders and religious organisations to ensure that social intervention programmes reached their intended beneficiaries transparently and with dignity.
Earlier, the wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, described the Food Outreach Scheme as one of the initiatives of the First Lady aimed at improving family welfare and providing direct support to vulnerable Nigerians.
She noted that the programme had been extended to different parts of the country, with Kwara State serving as its first point of call.
Mrs Abiodun said the extension of the scheme to Ogun demonstrated the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the First Lady to addressing the challenges confronting vulnerable households.
She added that the initiative aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on eradicating poverty and hunger and promoting good health and well-being.
The Ogun First Lady also commended President Tinubu for the economic reform programmes being implemented by his administration.
He noted that social intervention initiatives remained important in helping families cope with economic challenges while working towards a stronger and more prosperous society.
The highlight of the event was the formal handover of the food items to Mrs Bamidele Abiodun for onward distribution to identified beneficiaries across Ogun State.
Launched in Kwara State in March 2024 under the Social Investment Programme of the Renewed Hope Initiative, the Food Outreach Scheme provides nutritional assistance to persons living with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
The programme is aimed at strengthening family welfare, improving access to food and expanding social protection for disadvantaged Nigerians across the country.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
