Oluremi Tinubu Unveils Food Bank In Borno

First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has commended Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s developmental strides in Borno State and unveiled a community food bank to support vulnerable residents.

Speaking yesterday during her visit to the Shehu of Borno’s Palace after inaugurating some projects and unveiling the Community Food Bank Programme in Maiduguri, Mrs Tinubu praised Zulum’s efforts in security, healthcare and reconstruction across the state.

The food bank, set up under the Renewed Hope Initiative, will provide staples to displaced persons and low-income households.

Mrs Tinubu, who noted that Borno is a State she cherished so much, added that the presidency and the State share ties, coupled with the Vice President, who is the son of the state.

The First Lady noted that Governor Zulum’s achievements are a testament to the dedication of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to social issues and to the revival of the economy and the prosperity of the people.

“I want to sincerely appreciate the Governor for the great work he’s been doing. And I didn’t know I would have the strength to go around commissioning projects, but the more I see them, the more rejuvenated I get.

“I don’t think I’ve even seen a lot of projects, except like that, anywhere. But you know, we are really, really proud of the great work your son is doing. And I believe that everyone is proud of him, and we pray that God will continue to bless him.

“And it’s a testament that people can see the dedication that the APC administration is giving, you know, we are giving to social issues and also to help revive our economy and the prosperity of our people,” Mrs Tinubu said.

Unveiling the National Community Food Bank Project, the First Lady said the initiative aims to tackle hunger and malnutrition in the region and across the country.

Continuing, she said, “Your Excellencies and guests, it is a great honour and privilege to be here. This will be the first assignment while we are here in Borno State for our children and mothers.

“I have the honour to commission the National Community Food Bank Programme in the North-East to the glory of God.”

In his remarks, Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, lauded the First Lady for launching the programme in Borno State, saying that the insurgency has triggered an acute humanitarian and post-displacement crisis, with devastating social and economic impacts on the state’s population, further deepening poverty in the northeast.

The Governor, therefore, said that establishing the Community Food Bank in Borno State will enhance children’s nutritional status and thereby ensure their growth and development.

While extending his deepest appreciation to Mrs Tinubu for finding time, despite her tight schedule, to commission some of his administration’s landmark projects, Zulum noted that in the last two and a half years, the people of the State received significant support from President Tinubu’s administration.

“I just want to mention two amongst other federal government projects, one is the federal College of Education Gwoza, the establishment of Orthopaedic Hospital in Hawul, and just last week, His Excellency, President Tinubu has approved for the release of N68 billion we need for the procurement of fossil fuel to our power plant, amongst many projects in Borno State”, Zulum said.

The Governor donated N500 million, as the Chairman of the North East Governors Forum, to launch the Community Food Basket.

Welcoming the wife of the President to his palace, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi, commended her for launching the Community Food Basket in the State.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the National Community Food Bank Programme received pledges totalling over N66 billion at its launch and inauguration of the Board of Trustees at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, announced during his keynote address at the event hosted by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

The Aliko Dangote Foundation led private sector contributions with a N20bn in-kind commitment over five years, followed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s pledge of N10bn over the same period.

The Emeka Offor Foundation pledged N500m upfront, while anonymous friends of the First Lady contributed $500,000 (approximately N750m at current exchange rates).

Pate announced that President Bola Tinubu had approved a special N17bn intervention through the Social Action Fund to support the programme.

The National Community Food Bank Programme is designed to establish community-based food banks in every local government area, linked to Basic Health Care Provision Fund-supported primary healthcare centres in partnership with the Bank of Agriculture.

The programme will provide nutritious, locally sourced food using a voucher system to malnourished children under six years, pregnant and lactating women, orphans and vulnerable children, and households at the highest nutritional and economic risk.