By By Elizabeth Ugbo
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged state governors to establish functional community food banks across their senatorial districts to tackle food insecurity and malnutrition. She made the appeal during a food distribution exercise in Katsina State under the Renewed Hope Initiative’s Food Outreach Scheme. The programme targets vulnerable Nigerians, especially children under six, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.
Remi Tinubu Calls for Community Food Banks
Senator Oluremi Tinubu called on governors to strengthen food security by establishing accessible community food banks across their states.
According to the First Lady, these facilities would help vulnerable households access nutritious food. They would also support efforts to reduce malnutrition among children and mothers.
Furthermore, she stressed the need for stronger cooperation between federal and state governments. Such collaboration would expand nutritional support and improve access to food for disadvantaged communities.
Renewed Hope Initiative Extends Support to Katsina
The First Lady made the appeal while presenting food items to Katsina State under the Renewed Hope Initiative’s Food Outreach Scheme.
However, she did not attend the event personally. The Wife of the Vice President, Mrs Nana Shettima, represented her during the presentation.
Katsina became the 30th beneficiary of the scheme, which began in March 2024. The programme provides food assistance to persons with disabilities, widows and other vulnerable groups.
Through the initiative, the government aims to ease food-related challenges facing disadvantaged Nigerians.
National Community Food Bank Programme Completed
Mrs Tinubu also announced the completion of the nationwide rollout of the National Community Food Bank Programme.
She called for greater cooperation between federal and state authorities to strengthen the programme’s impact.
In addition, functional community food banks could help communities respond more effectively to nutritional challenges. They could also provide targeted assistance to families struggling to meet their basic food needs.
Governor Radda Commends Food Outreach Initiative
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, commended the Renewed Hope Initiative for supporting vulnerable residents.
He acknowledged the programme’s contribution to the state’s efforts to improve the welfare of disadvantaged people.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to address food insecurity and improve nutritional support for vulnerable Nigerians.
Establishing functional community food banks across senatorial districts could further strengthen these efforts, particularly for children and mothers who face nutritional risks.
