Remi Tinubu extends food outreach to Ogun

L-R: Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Managing Director of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), Dr Ubon Udoh; wife of the Vice President of Nigeria, Hajia Nana Shettima; wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun; and wife of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mrs Salamatu Gbajabiamila, during the Renewed Hope Initiative Food Outreach Scheme for Vulnerable Groups in Ogun State, held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, on Wednesday.

The First Lady, 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, Ogun State during the distribution of food items to vulnerable residents of the state.

Represented by the wife of the Vice President, 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.

The First Lady said that 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.

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 thanked the donors for their generosity and continued commitment to supporting vulnerable Nigerians.

She also commended Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and his wife, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, for their efforts to improve the welfare of residents.

She said, “At this juncture, let me warmly commend our host, the Executive Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for his warm reception and hospitality.

“I also wish to express my sincere appreciation to my dear sister, the First Lady of Ogun State, Her Excellency, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, for her dedication to implementing the programmes of the Renewed Hope Initiative in the state.

“On this note, to the glory of God and for the benefit of humanity, I hereby hand over these food items to the First Lady of Ogun State for onward distribution to the beneficiaries.”

In his address, the governor said the state remained committed to building a future in which progress is shared, opportunities are expanded and the welfare of people in the state is never neglected.

He stated that the priorities of the state include supporting farmers, improving access to agricultural inputs, encouraging modern production methods and strengthening linkages between farms, processing facilities and markets.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu for providing purposeful and dynamic leadership through implementation of his bold and far-reaching macroeconomic policies, which are too numerous to enumerate, saying the policies have helped rescued and stabilised economy of the nation.

Abiodun said, “Recognising that there is a time lag between the implementation of macroeconomic initiatives and their impact on the microeconomy, Her Excellency, the First Lady of Nigeria, through her various initiatives, continues to serve as a bridge, accelerating and deepening interventions for the poor, the elderly, vulnerable groups and persons living with disabilities.

“Through her various initiatives, she has supported women farmers and breastfeeding mothers, established food banks, and undertaken several other interventions.

“Immediate relief and lasting opportunities must advance together. A family facing hunger needs support today and a sustainable source of income tomorrow.

“This is why food assistance must be complemented by healthcare, education, skills development, enterprise and employment opportunities. We will continue to work with the Federal Government and other partners to strengthen these connections.

“Vulnerability does not diminish human worth. Persons with disabilities, widows, elderly citizens, disadvantaged children and households with limited incomes deserve inclusion. They deserve access to opportunities and fair treatment.

“I therefore urge government officials, community representatives and volunteers to ensure that these items reach the intended beneficiaries properly, transparently and respectfully. Distribution arrangements must accommodate elderly citizens and persons living with disabilities.

“Once again, we thank Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, who is represented here today by Her Excellency, Hajia Nana Shettima, for this laudable humanitarian initiative.

“We acknowledge our President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and affirm our readiness to continue strengthening partnerships that improve the welfare of our people. We thank all our partners as well as everyone who has continued to donate in support of this worthy cause.”

In her welcome address, the wife of the state governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun said Sen. Tinubu’s practical support for vulnerable groups and welfare of Nigerians at large cannot be overemphasised.

She described the event as one of the social Intervention of the Renewed Hope Initiative in providing for the less privilege, saying the wife of the President has done a lot to support and care for the vulnerable in the country.