The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday extended the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Food Outreach Scheme to Ondo State, with hundreds of vulnerable residents benefiting from food support aimed at tackling hunger and malnutrition.
The distribution, held at the International Culture and Event Centre (The Dome), Akure, forms part of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s Social Investment Programme designed to improve access to nutritious food and strengthen support for vulnerable households.
Represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, the First Lady said the intervention underscores the commitment of the Renewed Hope Initiative to reducing hunger, combating child malnutrition and ensuring that vulnerable Nigerians, particularly children, have the opportunity to live healthy and productive lives.
She explained that the Food Outreach Scheme, launched in March 2024, targets persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups across the country.
According to her, the programme is sustained through monthly donations of two truckloads of food items by the Abdulsamad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) and another anonymous donor, enabling two states to benefit every month.
The First Lady noted that the food items distributed in Ondo State were donated by ASR Africa and described the initiative as a complement to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at addressing food insecurity and improving the welfare of Nigerians.
She commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his commitment to the welfare of the people of Ondo State and also praised the governor’s wife, Mrs Esther Aiyedatiwa, for supporting the implementation of the initiative in the state.
Speaking at the event, Governor Aiyedatiwa described the programme as another demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to poverty reduction and social inclusion.
According to him, the intervention goes beyond food distribution, representing compassion, solidarity and a collective determination to improve the living conditions of vulnerable citizens.
The governor lauded the Renewed Hope Initiative and President Tinubu for prioritising programmes that support the less privileged, adding that Ondo State would continue to align with Federal Government initiatives that improve the well-being of residents.
Aiyedatiwa said the food outreach aligns with his administration’s “OUR EASE” Development Agenda, particularly its focus on promoting the welfare of women, children and families, stressing that food security remains critical to human dignity, education and economic productivity.
He assured residents that his administration would continue implementing policies that improve food availability, affordability and accessibility across the state.
The governor also reiterated Ondo State’s political support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“We have already declared Ondo State for Tinubu 2027 and we remain unwavering in our resolve to deliver en masse in the Sunshine State for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second term,” he said.
Earlier, the wife of the governor, Mrs Esther Aiyedatiwa, represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Abosede Adelami, said the food outreach symbolises compassionate leadership and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to collaborating with the Federal Government in expanding social intervention programmes for vulnerable residents.
Also speaking, Managing Director of ASR Africa, Dr Ubin Udoh, said the organisation remains committed to supporting interventions that provide relief, restore dignity and improve the quality of life of vulnerable Nigerians through investments in health, education and social development.
The event attracted top government officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders, security chiefs, members of the Ondo State Executive Council and House of Assembly, as well as representatives from neighbouring states.