Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Monday launched the North-West Zone of the National Community Food Bank Programme in Jigawa State, calling for stronger collaboration among governments, development partners, organisations and individuals to ensure food support reaches vulnerable households across the country.
Speaking at the launch, the First Lady disclosed that since the programme was flagged off in Borno State in April, it has recorded encouraging results, with 560 beneficiaries enrolled and 468 vulnerable children reached.
Describing the figures as an impressive start, Senator Tinubu stressed that the initiative’s long-term success would depend on sustained partnerships and collective ownership.
“We must work together to build a transparent, accountable and efficient food bank system that reaches vulnerable households across Nigeria.”
She urged stakeholders across the North-West to actively support the programme as it expands nationwide.
“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.”
Explaining why Jigawa was selected to host the regional launch, the First Lady said the state’s agricultural strength made it an ideal location for the programme.
“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.”
Earlier, Senator Tinubu commissioned the new palace hall of the Emir of Hadejia, HRH Dr. Adamu Maje, where she announced a ₦100 million business recapitalisation grant for 2,000 women petty traders in Jigawa State under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
She explained that each beneficiary would receive ₦50,000 to strengthen and expand existing businesses.
“Through the Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Empowerment Programme, each of the 2,000 beneficiaries will receive a ₦50,000 business recapitalisation grant to support and expand their already existing businesses.”
The First Lady reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), describing the sector as a major driver of inclusive economic growth.
“Small and medium-scale enterprises remain critical to sustainable economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction in Nigeria.”
She added that investing in women entrepreneurs, particularly those operating at the grassroots, would strengthen families and local economies.
“Empowering women entrepreneurs, particularly those at the grassroots, remains essential to improving household incomes and stimulating local economic development.”
During the visit, Senator Tinubu also inaugurated several projects, including the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Academy, a technology hub facilitated by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Clinic and Dialysis Centre equipped with state-of-the-art dialysis machines, the Gandun Sariki Road and the Hadejia–Garun Gabas–Dolan Kwana Road.
The National Community Food Bank Programme is one of the Federal Government’s interventions aimed at improving food security and providing structured support for vulnerable Nigerians through partnerships with governments, communities and development organisations.