By Magnus Effiong
In a bid to ensure food security, healthcare and improved welfare of Nigerians, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of President Bola Tinubu, has launched the National Community Food Bank Programme in Calabar for the South-South region.
Speaking during the launch of the programme, Friday, Senator Tinubu said the programme targets vulnerable households, particularly children below six years, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
She said the nutritious food so provided would support healthy growth and development, particularly of children.
“The National Foodbank Programme is a deliberate and sustainable response to food insecurity and malnutrition among vulnerable households,” she said, disclosing that the programme was part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The initiative, she said, was being implemented in collaboration between her office and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the Bank of Agriculture.
According to her, the national programme was inaugurated in Abuja on April 2, 2026, before being extended to the North-East, North-West, North-Central and South-West zones. The South-South launch, she noted, represents the fifth zonal phase, with the South-East expected to follow.
Commending Governor Bassey Edet Otu, his wife, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu, and the people of Cross River for their hospitality, the President’s wife, lauded the Governor for establishing three food banks across its senatorial districts.
“They are located at Ediba Primary Health Centre, MCH Ikom and MCH Ogoja. I encourage every State in the zone to establish community food banks across at least three senatorial districts, which we have done here today,” she stated.
In his remarks, Governor Otu described the First Lady as the “compassionate Mother of the Nation” noting that the food bank would complement the state’s efforts to reduce hunger and poverty.
“The National Community Food Bank Programme is one of the most enduring initiatives of Mr. President under the Renewed Hope mantra,” Otu said.
He said his administration had invested in agriculture through rice and cassava clusters, fishing support, grants and mechanisation for small-holder farmers, while pursuing large-scale public-private investments in agriculture.
