Tinubu Approves ₦515m Relief For Calabar Mall Fire Victims

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a ₦515 million relief package for victims of the recent Calabar SPAR shopping mall fire in Cross River State, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu announced has announced.

Mrs. Tinubu disclosed the intervention during her visit to Calabar, where she also launched the South-South phase of the National Community Foodbank Programme, aimed at tackling food insecurity and malnutrition among vulnerable households across the region.

According to the First Lady, the President approved ₦25 million each for the 18 affected business owners, amounting to ₦450 million.

She said an additional ₦50 million was provided to the First Lady of Cross River State for women’s groups, while another ₦15 million was allocated to women who welcomed her during her visit to Calabar, bringing the total relief package to ₦515 million.

Delivering a message from the President, Mrs. Tinubu said, “Mr. President actually sent me to the Governor to express my heartfelt sympathy to the people and government of Cross River State.”

She explained that the intervention was intended to provide immediate support to those affected by the fire and help them recover from the losses suffered.

Earlier, Mrs. Tinubu launched the South-South zonal phase of the National Community Foodbank Programme at Edeba Primary Health Centre in Cross River State.

Two additional foodbanks were simultaneously launched at the Maternal and Child Health Centre, Ikom, in the Central Senatorial District and MCH Ogoja in the Northern Senatorial District.

The programme targets children under six, pregnant women and lactating mothers across Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers states.

Mrs. Tinubu described the initiative as “a deliberate and sustainable response to food insecurity and malnutrition among vulnerable households” and said it was aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.

“This initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of my husband, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly its commitment to improving food security, strengthening health care outcomes and promoting the well-being of all Nigerians,” she said.

The National Community Foodbank Programme was inaugurated in Abuja on April 2, 2026, and has since been rolled out in the North-East, North-West, North-Central and South-West geopolitical zones.

The South-South launch represents the fifth phase of the programme, with the final zonal launch scheduled for next week in Anambra State for the South-East.

The First Lady urged governors in the South-South to establish similar foodbanks in at least three senatorial districts of their respective states in partnership with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.

“Our efforts can only succeed with the active support of state governors,” she said.

Mrs. Tinubu also commissioned the TETFund Renewed Hope Initiative ICT Experience Centre at the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), describing the facility as a reflection of the Federal Government’s focus on education, digital inclusion, youth empowerment and innovation.

She said the foodbank programme would continue to expand to ensure vulnerable Nigerians have access to nutritious food.

“It is my hope that the National Community Food Bank Programme will continue to grow and reach vulnerable families across our nation, ensuring that no pregnant or lactating mother or child below the age of six is denied access to nutritious food,” she said.

The First Lady was received in Calabar by Governor Bassey Otu and the Cross River State First Lady, Bishop Dr. Eyoanwan Otu.

She subsequently declared the South-South Foodbank Programme launched “to the glory of God for the benefit of our people.”