As part of efforts to cushion the effect of economic hardship in the country, the first lady, Oluremi Tinubu, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, has flagged the distribution of 4,800 25kg bags of rice to vulnerable and less privileged individuals in six divisions in Lagos State.
Mrs Tinubu, who was represented by the wife of Lagos State governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu at the distribution of the palliatives which took place in Lagos House Ikeja, said the initiative was aimed at providing relief to those adversely affected by the current economic hardship.
She explained that though 4,800 bags of the rice were brought, 3,000 bags will be distributed to vulnerable groups in the state as the first tranche, saying some segment of the society not captured in the first distribution would be considered in the second tranche.
Mrs Sanwo-Olu stated that the initiative is towards a better life for vulnerable families adding that the Renewed Hope Initiative is to complement the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
According to her, through the Renewed Hope programme, many elderly ones have also benefited in Lagos and across the country.
She noted that the first lady was committed to ensuring that Nigerians are well-catered for, saying Senator Tinubu before now reached out to senior citizens of the country through the Elderly Support Scheme.
The beneficiaries, including widows, orphans and the elderly, expressed gratitude to the first lady for the kind gesture, saying the rice would go a long way in alleviating their suffering and providing them with a sense of hope.
Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, the president of National Council of Women Society (NCWS), Lagos State, Alhaja Memunatu Ajao expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the initiators of the programme, saying it would go a long way to ameliorate the current hardship.
Another beneficiary, Mr Robert Osuji from Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria, commended the nation’s first lady for the initiative and urged the wife of the Lagos State governor to also support their association.
