From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
First Lady of Nigeria Oluremi Tinubu, has announced the expansion of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s (RHI) Food Outreach Scheme to reach more vulnerable people across the country, including women, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities, Special Assistant to the President, Media & ICT (Office of the Vice President), Kwapchi Hamman disclosed in a statement.
The expansion reflects the administration’s broader commitment to food security and social empowerment, with the First Lady emphasising that these efforts are about more than food distribution—they aim to improve the well-being and livelihoods of Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens.
Speaking at an event in Umuahia, Abia State, where food supplies were handed over to the state’s RHI Coordinator, Priscilla Otti, the First Lady, represented by the Vice President’s wife, Nana Shettima, said, “As I hand over these essential food commodities to Abia State and the RHI State Coordinator, I urge the beneficiaries to use these items for the well-being of their families. We at RHI are implementing several impactful interventions that are touching lives across the nation, and we are pleased that our efforts are yielding positive outcomes.”
Launched on March 8, 2024, the Food Outreach Scheme has so far reached eleven states and the Federal Capital Territory, including Benue, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Gombe, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, and Oyo, with plans to expand to Enugu and Kaduna next. The programme, funded by The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) and an anonymous donor, targets one state per month for food distribution.
Mrs. Tinubu also unveiled new initiatives under RHI’s five core pillars for 2025. Under Social Investment, RHI is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Environment to establish ‘The Environment Club’ for senior secondary school students and ‘The Environment Society’ for students in tertiary institutions nationwide, aiming to promote environmental cleanliness and tree planting. In Economic Empowerment, RHI plans to disburse grants of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (₦200,000) each to 250 persons with disabilities in all 36 states and the FCT to support and recapitalise their small businesses. In the area of Education, the ‘Flow with Confidence’ programme will distribute 10,000 packs of sanitary pads—enough to last a year—to young girls, particularly those in rural communities, to help them stay in school throughout their menstrual cycle.
“These programmes complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and aim to improve the lives of Nigerians nationwide,” the First Lady said.
Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti praised the initiative and expressed readiness to partner with RHI to uplift vulnerable groups. Mrs. Priscilla Otti highlighted the programme’s transformative impact on families in Abia, assuring continued support for effective distribution.
Managing Director of ASR Africa, Ubon Udoh, commended RHI’s sustainable impact and pledged ongoing support.