The Nigeria’s first lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday commissioned two major projects in Ogun State which include, President Muhammadu Buhari Estate and the Gateway Medical Centre of Excellence in Abeokuta, and equally flagged off of South-West Zonal National Community Food Bank at Makun, Sagamu
Penpushing reports that Tinubu commended Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for his commitment to the welfare and development of the people, citing the newly commissioned projects as examples of projects that directly impact citizens’ lives.
The wife of the President clarified the distinction between a food bank and a food hub, explaining that the food bank is specifically designed to serve disadvantaged and vulnerable persons, with services provided free of charge.
Penpushing further reports that she urged the South-West Governors and government across the region to replicate the initiative to strengthen the fight against food insecurity and malnutrition. called on governors in
The first lady pointed out the need for them to establish community food banks in their respective states in partnership with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
Penpushing also reports that Tinubu speaking at the launch held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, explained that the programme was designed to ensure that vulnerable Nigerians, particularly children and pregnant and lactating women, have sustained access to nutritious food.
The President wife stressed that such collaboration would facilitate the supply of food items and provide the operational support needed to sustain the initiative, describing the National Community Food Bank Programme as a deliberate and sustainable response to food insecurity and malnutrition among vulnerable households.
Penpushing reports that she noted that it specifically targets children under six years of age, pregnant women and lactating mothers, and expressed optimism that the programme would be sustained, explaining that its ultimate objective was to ensure that every Nigerian child is adequately nourished and given a healthy foundation for the future.
The first lady added that the initiative is consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, particularly its commitment to food security, improved healthcare, social protection and human capital development.
Penpushing further reports that she stressed that state governments were expected to take ownership of the facilities, adding that the Nigerian Government’s vision extended beyond the establishment of the initial food banks, and equally advocated locating food banks close to Primary Healthcare Centres to make them easily accessible to vulnerable families.
The Ogun State Governor in his remarks said the programme demonstrated the shared vision and common purpose of the Federal Government and Ogun State in building a more prosperous and inclusive Nigeria.
Penpushing also reports that he explained that the President Muhammadu Buhari Estate and the Gateway Medical Centre of Excellence were in keeping with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which, he noted, was not merely about formulating policies but translating government intentions into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens through housing, healthcare, nutrition, social protection and human capital development.
The host Governor said the philosophy underpinning his administration’s Building Our Future Together agenda was founded on the belief that government must create an environment where citizens can live with dignity, access essential services, pursue legitimate aspirations and face the future with confidence.
Penpushing reports that he maintained that development loses its moral value when economic growth rises while the basic needs of the people remain unmet, stating that the true measure of government is not only the number of projects commissioned but the number of lives positively transformed by such projects.
The Governor emphasized and pointed out that the hospitals become useful when they save lives; adding that the houses fulfil their purpose when they shelter families.
Penpushing further reports that Abiodun said locating food banks within Primary Healthcare Centres would enable government to identify vulnerable households more effectively, support children at risk of malnutrition, assist pregnant women and nursing mothers, and ensure that interventions reached those who needed them most.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, in his goodwill message said the National Community Food Bank Programme would not only provide food to vulnerable Nigerians but also create a sustainable link between farmers and consumers.
Penpushing also reports that Kyari said the initiative reflected the commitment of the Tinubu administration to tackling food insecurity while protecting the dignity of vulnerable families.
The Minister noted that food security was no longer being treated as a sectoral issue under the present administration, recalling that the President had declared a state of emergency on food security and placed the issue at the centre of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Penpushing reports that he explained that the significance of the Community Food Bank Programme went beyond food distribution, as the initiative was also designed to strengthen agricultural production through structured procurement and distribution, emphasized that a food bank that hands out food solves a meal, and that a food bank tied to a farm solves a season.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, described the National Community Food Bank Programme as a critical platform for addressing health challenges associated with food insecurity and ensuring that no child or woman goes without food.
Penpushing further reports that he commended the Nigerian Government for establishing the programme and urged governors across the South-West to key into and scale up the initiative to achieve its objectives.
The Executive Secretary of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Muyi Aina, In a technical presentation said the agency would collaborate with relevant stakeholders to strengthen food production and ensure the availability of nutritious food for Nigerians.
Penpushing also reports that Aina said the programme targets pregnant women and children from six months to six years of age and would be domiciled within the country’s 13,500 Primary Healthcare Centres.
The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Aremu Gbadebo, in his remarks said the initiative had the potential to provide significant succour to vulnerable members of society, and commended the First Lady for ensuring that Ogun State benefited from the programme.
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