First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has disclosed that since the flag off of the National Community Food Bank Programme in Borno State in April, 560 beneficiaries have enrolled while 468 vulnerable children have been reached.
Describing this as an impressive start, Senator Oluremi Tinubu said the success of the programme depends on sustained collaboration.
“We must work together to build a transparent, accountable, and efficient food bank system that reaches vulnerable households across Nigeria.
“I therefore call on individuals, organisations, institutions, and development partners across the North-West Zone to support and actively participate in this initiative as we continue its nationwide rollout.
“The choice of Jigawa State for the North-West launch is strategic. Jigawa is an agrarian state with immense agricultural potential and a strong commitment to improving the well-being of its people,” Senator Tinubu said.
Before the formal launch, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu had commissioned the new palace hall of the Emir of Hadejia, His Royal Highness Dr Adamu Maje.
At the Emirs palace, she announced a N100 million business recapitalisation grant for 2,000 women petty traders in Jigawa State as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) across the country.
She said the grant which is through the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI Economic Empowerment scope, each of the 2,000 beneficiaries will receive a N50,000 business recapitalisation grant to support and expand their already existing businesses.
The First Lady reaffirmed her commitment to promoting small and medium-scale enterprises, describing the sector as a critical driver of sustainable economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction in Nigeria.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu noted that empowering women entrepreneurs, particularly those at the grassroots, remains essential to improving household incomes and stimulating local economic development.
She thereafter inaugurated key projects including the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Academy, a tech hub facilitated by the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Clinic and Dialysis Center installed with the state of art dialysis machines, Gandun Sariki Road and Hadejia-Garun Gabas – Dolan Kwana Road.
