Ebonyi State First Lady, Chief Mrs Uzoamaka Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, has joined other First Ladies in welcoming Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, to Anambra State for the flag-off of the National Community Food Bank Programme for the South-East Zone.
Senator Tinubu launched the programme on Thursday at the Old Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, as part of her one-day working visit to Anambra State. The event marked the completion of the national rollout of the National Community Food Bank Programme across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The initiative, under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), is designed to strengthen food security and address malnutrition among vulnerable Nigerians, with particular attention to young children, pregnant and nursing mothers, widows, elderly persons and people living with disabilities. The programme also incorporates nutrition education and other support for vulnerable households.
The Anambra visit also featured the inauguration of the RHI/TETFund ICT Experience Centre at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko. The facility is aimed at bridging the digital skills gap and providing young people with opportunities to acquire skills in areas including software development, data analysis, digital marketing and remote work.
Another highlight was the flag-off of an empowerment programme for 5,000 beneficiaries across Anambra State’s 21 local government areas. The beneficiaries received business grants, vocational tools and equipment for agriculture, agro-processing, beauty care and other small-scale enterprises.
Senator Tinubu also announced an additional ₦100,000 grant for each of the 5,000 beneficiaries, further strengthening the economic empowerment component of the intervention.
Reflecting on the occasion, Mrs Nwifuru described the visit as significant, noting the importance of collective efforts in addressing the needs of vulnerable families and improving the welfare of children.
She was particularly inspired by Senator Tinubu’s call for political differences to be set aside whenever the welfare and future of Nigerians are at stake.
According to her, the wellbeing of children and the progress of communities should remain a shared responsibility, irrespective of political affiliations.
She expressed hope that the National Community Food Bank Programme would continue to provide nourishment, hope and dignity to vulnerable children and families across Nigeria.
