‎By CELINE-DAMILOLA OYEWOLE

The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday in Sagamu, Ogun, unveiled the National Community Food Bank Programme for the South-West zone to support vulnerable households.

‎The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the National community Food Bank aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu to advance food security, improve health outcomes, and build a more prosperous nation.

Tinubu said the pogramme was a deliberate and sustainable response to food insecurity and malnutrition among vulnerable households across the country.

She said the programme was designed to ensure that children under the age of six, pregnant women and lactating mothers had easy access to nutritious food.

‎The First Lady appreciated the state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; his wife, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun; and the citizens for the warm reception accorded her.

She acknowledged the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Muyi Aina.

She also commended the Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, Mr Ayodeji Sotinrin, for supporting the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to impact lives.

‎“Today, we are launching three food banks simultaneously in Sagamu, Yewa North and Abeokuta South for the South-West Zone. We will soon extend the initiative to the South-South and South-East zones.

“I applaud Gov. Dapo Abiodun for his commitment to the welfare and development of the people of Ogun State.

“This commitment is evident in the newly completed Gateway Medical Centre of Excellence in Oke-Mosan and the President Muhammadu Buhari Housing Estate on Kobape Road, which I had the pleasure of commissioning earlier today,” she said.

The First Lady also commended other governors in the zone and urged them to emulate Gov. Dapo Abiodun.

“Following today’s zonal launch in Abeokuta, I encourage other governors in the zone to establish Community Food Banks in their respective states, in partnership with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.

“This is to facilitate the supply of food items and provide the operational support required for the sustainability of this initiative.

“It is my hope that the National Community Food Bank Programme will continue to grow and reach vulnerable families in every part of our country.

“The programme will ensure that no pregnant or lactating mother or child below the age of six lacks nutritious food for healthy development,” she said.

Responding, Gov. Abiodun commended the First Lady for supporting the President in reaching out to vulnerable people across the country.

NAN reports that the programme attracted major stakeholders across the country as part of efforts to strengthen the Federal Government’s social intervention initiatives.

‎The programme also featured the distribution of food items to vulnerable people and indigent residents across the South-West zone, comprising Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo States.

The programme is implemented through a strategic partnership between the Office of the First Lady, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the Bank of Agriculture.

Recall that the Board of Trustees of the National Community Food Bank Programme was inaugurated in Abuja on April 2.

The South-East Zonal Programme was unveiled in Borno State on April 27, with the establishment of three food banks.

Also, the North-West Programme was unveiled in Jigawa State on June 29, with three food banks, while the North-Central Programme was unveiled in Kogi State on July 11, with four food banks. (NAN)