Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday, unveiled the National Community Food Bank Programme for the South-East geopolitical zone and inaugurated the Tertiary Education Trust Fund-sponsored ICT Experience Centre at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State.
She also flagged off the statewide empowerment programme of the wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo, with 5,000 beneficiaries across the state’s 21 local government areas receiving business grants, vocational tools and equipment for agriculture and agro-processing, beauty care, and small-scale enterprises.
Inaugurating the facilities in the company of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, his wife, Nonye, and other dignitaries on Thursday, Tinubu described the ICT centre as a major investment in the digital future of Nigerian youths.
She also described the food bank as a major milestone in the Federal Government’s nationwide food security and social welfare drive.
According to her, the South-East zonal food bank initiative was structured to cushion vulnerable groups against economic hardship by directly targeting widows, the elderly, persons with disabilities, nursing mothers, and young children with essential food assistance and nutrition education.
She emphasised that the programme formed a core component of the Renewed Hope Initiative, aimed at grassroots development, reducing hunger, and improving human capital indices across Nigerian communities.
She said, “This initiative reinforces the Federal Government’s policies aimed at tackling poverty, promoting sustainable agriculture, and strengthening social safety nets in Anambra State and the wider South-East region.
“It demonstrates a reinforced partnership between the Federal Government and the state governments of the region towards inclusive economic growth and societal welfare.”
Speaking during the empowerment programme, Tinubu announced a cash grant of N100,000 each for the 5,000 beneficiaries, noting that after travelling across all six geopolitical zones of the country, she was fittingly concluding the tour in Anambra State.
The First Lady assured citizens that there was genuine hope for the Nigerian people, emphasising the importance of national unity and urging Nigerians to know and embrace one another as compatriots.
She advised mothers struggling to feed their children to visit primary health centres equipped with food banks and expressed gratitude to Governor Soludo for the tremendous love and support he had consistently shown to President Bola Tinubu.
Also speaking at the event, Soludo lauded President Bola Tinubu’s macroeconomic and infrastructural reforms, declaring that the administration’s policies were actively steering the nation towards recovery.
Soludo, who welcomed the First Lady to the state, described her as a loving mother, supportive wife, and compassionate leader whose public service exemplified philanthropy and biblical values.
“Our country’s economy was in dire need of resuscitation when President Tinubu assumed office. With the reforms and policies of the President, we have the firm confidence that the next four years of the current administration will birth a stronger and fairer Nigeria,” Soludo said.
While highlighting cross-party synergy between the All Progressives Grand Alliance and the All Progressives Congress, Soludo noted that progressives must work together for the nation’s progress, pointing to the collaborative alliance between Anambra and the ruling APC at the federal level.
“When we say ‘progressives are working together’, it is not just a slogan; it is a statement of truth. As progressives, we are excited to be working with the ruling APC at the federal level. So far, ours is a partnership that works. In Anambra, we are happy to work with the progressives.
“I hear and feel the pains of those who complain now, but I assure you there is a renewed hope in Nigeria in the next few years. The future is brighter. I am convinced that in the next four years of Tinubu, we will see a brighter, stronger, and fairer Nigeria.
“The empowerment of the 5,000 people is a testament that progressives are working together. We have outlined plans to continue to cascade federal initiatives down to local communities through the state’s philosophy.
“The National Community Food Bank Programme would be expanded to every community, ensuring that every primary health centre hosts a food bank,” Soludo added.
The First Lady was also on Thursday conferred with the traditional title of ‘Ugo Eze Anambra State’ by royal fathers from the 179 communities of the state.
Tinubu was conferred with the title by the Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, on Thursday.
Igwe Iweka, while conferring the chieftaincy title on the First Lady, said, “This is a title from all the royal fathers in the 179 communities of Anambra State. The title is called ‘Ugo Eze Anambra’, meaning ‘the glory of the king’ or a ‘royal eagle’, and it is in recognition of your compassionate works across the country.
“We welcome you to Anambra, and we congratulate you for coming. Your efforts in governance are positively impacting every nook and cranny of the country.
“We recognise you as a loving mother, supportive wife, and compassionate leader whose public service exemplifies true philanthropy and biblical values.
“With your efforts, we have seen Mr. President carrying out works across the country as well as other projects in our communities. May God continue to offer you more wisdom.”
Tinubu, in her acceptance speech, thanked the traditional rulers for the chieftaincy title.
“I feel deeply honoured by the conferment of a chieftaincy title by the royal fathers of this state. Igbo are very nice people.”
Among the dignitaries at the event were the First Ladies of Abia, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Kebbi, and Imo states, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, and other ministers.
