First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has applauded the National Community Food Bank Programme, revealing that 560 beneficiaries have enrolled since its launch in Jigawa State, northwestern Nigeria.
The initiative, she said, has also provided support to 468 vulnerable children, describing this as an impressive start. The wife of the President says the success depends on sustained collaboration.
“We must work together to build a transparent, accountable and efficient food bank system that reaches vulnerable households across Nigeria.
I therefore call on individuals, organisations, institutions, and development partners across the North-West Zone to support and actively participate in this initiative as we continue its nationwide rollout.
“The choice of Jigawa State for the North-West launch is strategic. Jigawa is an agrarian state with immense agricultural potential and a strong commitment to improving the well-being of its people,” she said.
Before the formal launch of the food bank programme for the North-West, the First Lady inaugurated the new palace hall of the Emir of Hadejia, Jigawa State, Dr Adamu Maje.
Recapitalisation
At the Emir’s palace, she announced a N100 million business recapitalisation grant for 2,000 women petty traders in Jigawa State as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) across the country.
She said the grant, which is through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Economic Empowerment scope, provides each of the 2,000 beneficiaries with a N50, 000 business recapitalisation grant to support and expand their already existing businesses.
The First Lady reaffirmed her commitment to promoting small and medium-scale enterprises, describing the sector as a critical driver of sustainable economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction in Nigeria.
Mrs Tinubu noted that empowering women entrepreneurs, particularly those at the grassroots, remains essential to improving household incomes and stimulating local economic development.
She thereafter inaugurated key projects including the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Academy, a tech hub facilitated by the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Clinic and Dialysis Center installed with the state of art dialysis machines, Gandun Sariki Road and Hadejia-Garun Gabas – Dolan Kwana Road, all in Jigawa State.
