Abuja don witness one big show of support as Naija First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, launch National Community Food Bank Programme. The thing wey shock people na how money just dey pour in from all corners. Before you say Jack Robinson, over N65 billion don dey on ground to fight hunger for Naija.
Na for Presidential Villa Abuja the whole matter happen. First Lady yarn say child malnutrition for Naija don turn national emergency. She talk say millions of pikin under six years no dey get correct food wey go make dem grow well. “Each day wey we no do anything, na our pikin future we dey spoil,” she talk with serious face.
Aliko Dangote Foundation show say dem no dey play. Through their Managing Director, Zouera Youssoufou, dem pledge N20 billion in-kind support for five years. The money go help provide fortified and nutritious food products for vulnerable households. Youssoufou talk say: “Na honour to stand here today. This programme dey address food insecurity for pikin under six directly.”
NNPC Limited join the matter with N10 billion pledge. Sofia Mbakwe wey represent Group Executive Officer Bayo Ojulari talk say the ceremony na “powerful testament of purposeful leadership” by First Lady Tinubu. Dem go disburse the money over five-year period through partnership with Bank of Agriculture.
Federal Government through Ministry of Health and Social Welfare pledge N17 billion. Coordinating Minister, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, yarn say nutrition na both moral and public health matter wey require urgent action. “Malnutrition remain one of Nigeria most serious public health challenges,” Pate talk.
Nigeria Governors Forum no want miss out. Chairman and Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, promise say all 36 states go match Federal Government N17 billion with their own counterpart funding. “For our states, we dey see how households dey struggle to find affordable and nutritious food,” AbdulRazaq talk. “More than one third of pikin under five dey stunted. This na chronic undernutrition wey go affect our country development.”
Other donors join the party. Sir Emeka Offor Foundation drop N500 million immediately through their representative Chidioke James. James talk say: “Today no be just about launching fund. Na about launching hope. No society fit prosper when hunger dey.”
Even Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) show support. Their representative, Hamisu Mohammed, talk say local governments go work with the programme for grassroots level. “This initiative come at critical time for food insecurity and rising cost of living,” Mohammed yarn.
First Lady herself donate N500 million from her personal pocket. She talk say the programme align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda. The food bank system go work with Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and Bank of Agriculture.
Managing Director of Bank of Agriculture, Ayodeji Sotinrin, assure people say the money go dey managed with transparency. Dem go use multi-signatory approvals, independent audits, and real-time reporting to make sure every kobo reach where e suppose reach.
Former Minister of Finance and programme trustee, Mansur Mukhtar, describe the initiative as critical intervention. He talk say sustained collaboration among stakeholders go determine if the programme go succeed or not.
The programme target na to reach 500,000 households across Nigeria for first year. Dem plan to establish Community Food Bank Trust Fund for each local government area. Executive Director of National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Muyi Aina, explain say the food banks go create bridge between food surplus and communities wey need am.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, emphasize say efficient distribution system must follow food production efforts. “We no only need to produce food, we need to make sure e reach people wey need am,” Kyari talk.
As the pledges dey roll in, atmosphere for venue dey electric. Private sector, government at all levels, and philanthropic foundations all show say dem ready to tackle hunger matter for Naija. The total donation cross N65 billion mark, with some anonymous “friends of Her Excellency” adding $500,000 (about N692.5 million).
Board of Trustees for the Trust Fund don inaugurate with mandate to provide strategic leadership and oversight. First Lady charge dem to make sure every Naira donated dey used judiciously. “Our goal na to build strong and effective food bank system for Nigeria,” she talk before closing the ceremony.
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