The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) food outreach in Abia State with the distribution of food items to vulnerable citizens, particularly those affected by economic hardship.
The food items distributed under the Renewed Hope Initiative Social Investment Programme include Spaghetti, Semolina, and Rice.
Speaking at the event, held at the International Conference Center Umuahia, Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, lauded the First Lady of Nigeria for her compassion and unwavering support for vulnerable Nigerians amid the current economic challenges facing the country.
The Governor highlighted his administration’s commitment to social welfare, noting that one of his first actions in office was the creation of the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection.
According to him, the Ministry collaborates with international and local partners to implement holistic programs that support women, youths, and vulnerable groups across the state.
“In several communities, women cooperative groups have been set up to access grants and zero to low interest rate facilities to establish businesses along the agricultural value chains.
“Our conviction is that many of the individuals living in economic vulnerabilities can still add value to our GDP by engaging in productive ventures”, Gov Otti said.
The Governor expressed support of his administration for the Renewed Hope Initiative, emphasizing that while palliative programs are valuable, long-term solutions are essential.
He stressed the need for a “realistic path” to overcome poverty, joblessness, and economic hardship.
“The goal at all times should be to keep reducing the number of persons living below the poverty line by offering the population a path to economic sustainability and ultimately independence”, he noted.
In her address earlier, Sen Oluremi Tinubu, said that the food outreach scheme, which began on March 8, 2024, in the Federal Capital Territory, has since reached 11 States and the FCT, including Benue, Cross River, Oyo, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Gombe, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, and Nasarawa.
Represented by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, the First Lady, said that next states to benefit from the food outreach scheme are Enugu and Kaduna States.
She also announced a N200,000 grant each for 250 persons with disabilities in every state to support their small businesses and the planned distribution of 10,000 packs of sanitary pads per state to encourage young girls to stay in school.
“Under our economic empowerment, we will be giving a grant of 200,000 Naira for 250 persons with disabilities to recapitalize their existing small businesses in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“Under our Education Program, we will be introducing Floor with Confidence, during which we will distribute 10,000 packs, a year’s supply of sanitary pads to each of our young girls, particularly those in rural communities in each state to encourage them to remain in school during their menstrual cycle.
“These programs aim to further complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Administration of Excellency President Bola Tinubu GCFR in making life better for our people”, Mrs Tinubu stated.
She implored beneficiaries not to sell the food items as they are intended to support their families and thanked the State’s RHI Coordinator, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, for her support toward the Renewed Hope Initiative activities.
In her welcome address, the First Lady of Abia State, and State Coordinator, RHI Lady Priscilla Otti, expressed appreciation to the RHI and the First Lady of the nation for their enduring commitment to lifting families out of poverty and hunger.
She announced that the Abia State Government has provided 3,000 bags of 10kg rice to support the programme and assured that the items would be distributed to vulnerable citizens across the State.
The event featured which attracted the presence of the First ladies of Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo, Ogun States among other notable dignitaries, including wife of the House of Reps, Bamidele Abbas, featured the official handover of food items to vulnerable members of the society.
