First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged wealthy Nigerians to channel part of their wealth into charitable foundations to help the country’s most vulnerable.
She spoke at the launch of the North Central National Community Food Bank in Lokoja.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu appealed to wealthy Nigerians particularly figures in the entertainment industry—to back sustained philanthropic efforts.
“We have a lot of wealthy people. But our priorities are different. And I think it’s high time we started helping those who need help in the country,” she said.
The First Lady cited international examples of entertainers who combine careers with charity work and called for similar commitments at home.
The First Lady also discouraged social stigma against modest, lawful livelihoods.
She recounted a case of a University graduate who turned to street vending after failing to find formal employment; after assistance, the vendor now employs a dozen people.
“Our people should never despise small jobs,” she said.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu who announced a further donation of N100 million by the Renewed Hope Initiative to the First Lady of Kogi State to provide ₦50,000 each to 2,000 petty traders.
She commended beneficiaries for embracing small-scale enterprise, noting the simple trays of their wares which included pepper, okra, tomatoes and others, they brought to welcome her as evidence that the message had resonated.
Earlier, the First Lady has described the food bank program as a deliberate and sustainable response to insecurity and malnutrition among vulnerable households in Nigeria.
“It is designed to ensure that vulnerable children under the age of six pregnant women and lactating mothers have access to nutritious food this initiative alliance with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR particularly in advancing food, security, improving healthcare outcomes and building a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
“This programme is being implemented through a strategic partnership between the Office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Bank of Agriculture,” Senator Tinubu said.
The First Lady had earlier met with the Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs in the state, appealing to them to be the champion of the National Food Bank program, saying they should ensure it gets to the desired beneficiaries who are the vulnerable children and mothers in the society.
She assured that the Renewed Hope Initiative will continue to pursue courses that will make life better for Nigerian families.
The Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo in his remarks noted that the various interventions by the First Lady across the nation shows the sincerity of purpose and a true desire to positively impact the ordinary Nigerian.
He commanded the president for all his efforts in restoring the economic viability of Nigeria.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a man that took the bullet for an economy that was on the brink of collapse,” he said.
During the First Lady’s one day visit to Kogi state, she also commissioned the Oluremi Tinubu Pension and Treasury House, the Lokogoma PHC which is also the food distribution point for the area and the new office complex of the Kogi state health insurance agency.
