By Victoria Okpanachi
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the Renewed Hope Initiative(RHI) social investment programme “Food Outreach Scheme” as part of efforts to alleviate the hardship faced by the vulnerable groups in Kogi state.
The outreach which was held on Monday in Lokoja, provided essential food items such as 200 cartoons of instant noodles, 10 cartoons of soya oil, 100 bags of wheat, 10 bags of sugar, 200 bags of 5kg semovita and many more items to persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups across the 21 local government of the state.
Represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, the First Lady, reaffirmed her commitment to supporting vulnerable groups, ensuring that hope is restored to those in need across the nation.
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She appreciated every one that had contributed to the success of the RHI adding that the aim was to tackle hunger and poverty among the underserved population, which according to her aligns with the objectives of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led-administration..
According to her, the food supplies were made possible by an anonymous public-spirited company and also the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) who are committed to supplying food items on a monthly basis to RHI for onward distribution to Nigerians.
“I am pleased to share with you all that since the commencement of the scheme 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” she added.
Sen. Tinubu assured the state that there will be more activities this year under the five scopes of the RHI, that covers Agriculture, Education, Economic Empowerment, Health, and Social Investment.
Additionally under the RHI, we will be giving a grant of 200 thousand naira to 250 persons with disabilities to support their existing business, she added.
The first lady said that these programs aim to further complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
She appealed to beneficiaries not to sell the food items, as they are intended to support their families.
In his remark, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, while welcoming the First Lady, appreciated her for her efforts in uplifting the lives of the vulnerable through the Renewed Hope Initiative.
He stated that the state was also actively working to alleviate the suffering of its people through the quarterly distribution of palliatives, aimed at reducing poverty and ensuring food security
While recognising the role of women, the Governor called for greater opportunities for Kogi women at all levels, acknowledging that they are partners in the progress of the state
The governor urged those responsible for the distribution to ensure that the relief items reach the intended beneficiaries, emphasising the need for fairness, as hunger knows no party affiliation.
Contributing, the wife of the state Governor, Hajia Sefinat Ododo, commended the First Lady for her commitment to providing essential support to the people, particularly the less privileged.
According to her the welfare of the vulnerable remains a top priority, while reaffirming that, through collective efforts, a better nation can be built.
She expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his efforts in renewing hope across Nigeria and assured the First Lady that the distribution would be carried out effectively to reach those in genuine need.
Executive Secretary Kogi state Office for Disability Affairs, Hon. Yakubu Abdulhakeem, on behalf of the beneficiaries, applauded the First Lady for the food outreach scheme, describing the support as timely and a great relief that will ease their hardships.
