First Lady Commences Distribution Of Food Items As Part Of Rhi In Abia State, As Gov. Otti Lauds Initiative

The Wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu has commenced the distribution of food items to vulnerable groups in Abia State as part of her Renewed Hope Initiative Social Investment Food Outreach Programme.

Speaking at the event held at the International Conference Centre Umuahia, the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti commended Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu for appreciating the pains many individuals and families are passing through in the face of economic challenges and providing succour to them.

“Being the wife of the President has not stopped our dear First Lady from being mindful of the grassroots population on whose votes everyone holding a political position in the country draws their powers.

“Today’s event is proof that the poor and vulnerable in our country have a reliable friend in the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

” We are glad to receive you and appreciate your generous sentiments to our great state in matters connected to the welfare of women and young people, the less privileged and those hit by the shipwrecks of life, Gov. Otti stated.

Governor Otti, who noted that the challenge of poverty and its manifestations require a holistic programme of economic development, stressed the need for development of a comprehensive tracking system to monitor progress as Nigeria battles poverty.

“The challenge of poverty and its manifestations in terms of hunger, homelessness, hopelessness require a holistic programme of economic development,

“one that prioritizes job creation for different demographics, especially women and young children.

“My position is that whatever we do as leaders, we have a responsibility to keep our focus on finding a realistic path to overcoming the myriad of challenges facing the country, which economic destitution is one of its manifestations.

“It therefore entails that a comprehensive tracking system should be developed and managed locally to enable us monitor and assess our progress as we battle poverty together in the country, “Gov. Otti maintained.

He however informed that in Abia, his government is mindful of the challenges facing many individuals and families, hence the creation of the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection at assumption of office as Governor so as to tackle such challenges.

Speaking while handing over the food items for distribution, the First Lady, Senator Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu said that the aim of the programme is to further complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in making life better for the people.

Mrs. Tinubu who was represented by the wife of the Vice President , Hajia Nana Shettima said that, the food outreach scheme began on March 8, 2024 and has so far been done in 11 states and the Federal Capital Territory, adding that, the food supply has been made possible by two donors; Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative and an anonymous donor.

While advising the beneficiaries against selling of the food items as they are for their families, she listed various programmes carried out by the Renewed Hope Initiative, including environment, education, economic and others and maintained that under economic,

“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 territories.

” since inception in 2023, the Renewed Hope Initiative has made significant progress in our efforts to support our people, particularly women and youth towards building a better life for their families. Mrs. Tinubu stated.

In her address earlier, the Wife of the Governor of Abia State and coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative in the State, Lady Priscilla Otti while appreciating the First Lady of Nigeria for her passion in assisting the less privileged and vulnerable people, announced that as a partner in the project, Abia State government has provided 3,000 bags of 10 kg rice to add to the ones already donated by Mrs. Tinubu.

She said that the distribution exercise will continue in the coming week to ensure that many more families across the state benefit from the intervention and assured that it would be equitably distributed. She said that she is proud of the support they have received and continue to receive from Renewed Hope Initiative.

“The interventions of the Renewed Hope Initiative in Abia States have already had a significant  impact across education, empowerment, health, and nutrition.

“As the First Lady of Abia States and coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative in the State and the host and partner in this shared endeavor to bring hope and relief to our people, we are immensely proud of the support we have received and continue to receive from RHI.

“Together, let us continue to act in love, to lead with empathy, and to build a future where every home in Abia State, and indeed Nigeria, is free from hunger,” Lady Otti stated.

Some beneficiaries including Orasi Eze and Uzoma Ezebiiro, while pledging to use the items to take care of their families, thanked the First Lady of Nigeria and the wife of Abia State Governor for the kind gesture extended to them and prayed God to bless them bountifully.

The representative of the wife of the President, who was earlier received on arrival at the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport by the Wife of Abia State Governor, Lady Priscilla Otti and wives of the South East Governors was accompanied by the wife of the Ogun State Governor, wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs Bamidele Abbas, wife of the Minister of Works among others, while officials of the Abia State Government were present at the event.