Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Wednesday disclosed that the National Community Food Bank Programme was designed to address food insecurity and malnutrition among vulnerable households.

Mrs Tinubu stated this at the launch of the programme in the South-West zone, held at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.

The First Lady, during her one-day official visit to the state, also inaugurated the President Muhammadu Buhari Estate and the 250-bed Gateway Medical Centre of Excellence in Abeokuta.

Senator Tinubu explained that the programme was in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to promote food security and improve health outcomes.

She noted that the programme would ensure that children below six years, pregnant women and lactating mothers had access to nutritious food.

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“A food bank is not a food hub. It is meant for disadvantaged people, and every treatment and service provided there is free.

“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.

“At this juncture, I hereby formally launch the National Community Food Bank Programme in the South-West Zone, to the glory of God and for the benefit of our people,” she said.

Mrs Tinubu said the initiative was implemented through a partnership between her office, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the Bank of Agriculture.

She explained that the programme was formally launched and its Board of Trustees inaugurated in Abuja on April 2, adding that the North-East launch took place in Borno on April 27, while the North-West launch was held in Jigawa on June 29.

She added that the North-Central launch was held in Kogi on July 11, with the South-West launch taking place in Ogun.

She said three food banks had been established simultaneously in Sagamu, Yewa North and Abeokuta South Local Government Areas of Ogun State.

She said the Federal Government would soon extend the programme to the South-South and South-East zones to complete its nationwide rollout.

The First Lady lauded the efforts of the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for his commitment to the welfare and development of the people of the state.

She said state governments were expected to take ownership of the facilities and establish community food banks close to primary healthcare centres.

She also admonished governors in the South-West to establish community food banks in their respective states in partnership with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.

She, however, commended the governor for the massive infrastructural development in the state, saying the newly inaugurated estate and 250-bed hospital were highly commendable.

In his remarks, Governor Abiodun appreciated Mrs Tinubu for her commitment to improving the welfare of vulnerable Nigerians.

The governor explained that the initiative demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to translating the Renewed Hope Agenda into practical improvements in the lives of citizens.

According to him, government must create an environment where citizens can live with dignity, access essential services, pursue legitimate aspirations and face the future with confidence.

“Development must ultimately be measured by its impact on human beings.

“The true measure of government is found not only in the number of projects it commissions, but also in the number of lives those projects improve,” he said.

Abiodun said the commissioning of the Muhammadu Buhari Estate in Abeokuta demonstrated his administration’s commitment to providing decent and affordable housing.

He said the Gateway Medical Centre of Excellence, also in Abeokuta, represented another major step towards providing quality healthcare and reducing medical tourism.

In his address, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, lauded Tinubu for her leadership in tackling malnutrition and promoting food security among vulnerable Nigerians.

The Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, Mr Ayo Sotirin, said the bank would strengthen the financial and supply chains supporting the National Community Food Bank Programme across Nigeria.