First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s initiative distributes food items to vulnerable residents as Osun joins the growing list of beneficiaries; Ogun and Akwa Ibom are next in line.
OSOGBO — The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), the social intervention platform of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has extended its Food Outreach Scheme to Osun State, targeting persons with disabilities, widows and other vulnerable groups amid growing economic challenges.
The intervention, aimed at providing nutritional support and improving the welfare of disadvantaged Nigerians, was announced in a statement signed by Kwapchi Bata Hamman, Special Assistant to the President on Media and ICT, Office of the Vice President.
Osun is the latest state to benefit from the scheme, which was launched in March 2024 as part of efforts to support vulnerable households and promote social inclusion across the country.
At the presentation ceremony, the First Lady, represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, handed over the food items to the wife of the Osun State governor and RHI coordinator in the state, Mrs Titilola Adeleke, for distribution to beneficiaries.
First Lady: Food Support for Vulnerable Nigerians
Senator Tinubu said the Food Outreach Scheme was designed to complement President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by ensuring that vulnerable citizens receive assistance regardless of their status or circumstances.
She explained that the initiative was sustained through the contributions of two partners who provide two truckloads of food items every month, enabling the programme to reach two states monthly.
The partners are the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) and an anonymous donor.
According to the First Lady, the food items presented to Osun State were provided entirely by the anonymous donor.
She expressed appreciation to both partners for their generosity and continued commitment to supporting vulnerable populations across Nigeria.
Senator Tinubu also announced that Ogun and Akwa Ibom states would be the next beneficiaries of the programme.
Adeleke, Osun Government Welcome Intervention
The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, commended the First Lady for the intervention, describing it as a humanitarian initiative aimed at addressing the needs of less privileged citizens.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, the governor said the concept of a food bank and support system was worthy of emulation by governments at all levels.
He assured that the Osun State Government would support efforts to sustain the initiative and improve assistance to vulnerable residents.
The governor also appreciated the Renewed Hope Initiative for extending its humanitarian support to the state.
Titilola Adeleke: Another Milestone for Osun
Earlier, Mrs Titilola Adeleke described the programme as another milestone for Osun State and Nigeria, expressing gratitude to the First Lady for extending the food intervention to the state.
She highlighted other Renewed Hope Initiative programmes that had supported elderly citizens, petty traders, agriculture and food security, education and healthcare in Osun.
According to her, the latest intervention would further strengthen efforts to support vulnerable residents and improve their welfare.
Persons With Disabilities, Widows Among Beneficiaries
The Food Outreach Scheme forms part of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s broader commitment to social inclusion and humanitarian assistance, particularly for Nigerians facing economic and social vulnerabilities.
By targeting persons with disabilities, widows and other disadvantaged groups, the initiative seeks to provide direct nutritional support to households in need.
The extension to Osun comes as economic pressures continue to affect vulnerable populations, making food assistance and social protection interventions increasingly important.
With Ogun and Akwa Ibom announced as the next beneficiaries, the Renewed Hope Initiative is expected to continue expanding its outreach to more states.
The initiative’s latest intervention underscores the importance of sustained humanitarian support and partnerships in reaching vulnerable Nigerians, while raising expectations for continued assistance to persons with disabilities, widows and other underserved communities.
