Abuja dey hot yesterday as big men and women gather for State House Conference Centre. Wetin dey happen? Na launch of National Community Food Bank Programme wey First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu champion. The gist na say money don pour for the project like rain. Over N66 billion don dey on table from government and private sector.
Prof Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, yarn the breakdown. Him talk say President Bola Tinubu approve N17 billion through Social Action Fund. The money go help buy food locally for communities across Nigeria. “His Excellency, Mr President, don already approve this special intervention,” Pate talk. “We go use community-based procurement for each ward.”
But wait, the private sector no dey sleep. Aliko Dangote Foundation show say dem get muscle. Through their Managing Director Zouera Youssoufou, dem pledge N20 billion in-kind support for five years. Youssoufou talk say the foundation go provide fortified and nutritious food products. “We dey call on the entire organised private sector to support this programme,” she add.
NNPC Limited follow suit. Sofia Mbakwe, wey represent Group Executive Officer Bayo Ojulari, announce N10 billion pledge for same five-year period. “This ceremony na powerful testament of purposeful leadership by Her Excellency,” Mbakwe talk. NNPC promise to work with Bank of Agriculture wey dey manage the fund.
Smaller donations still dey. Sir Emeka Offor Foundation through Chidioke James donate N500 million immediately. “Today no be just about launching fund,” James yarn. “Na about launching hope. No society fit prosper while hunger dey.” Anonymous friends of the First Lady even contribute $500,000 – that one na about N750 million for current exchange rate.
Now, wetin about state governors? Prof Pate make appeal. Him talk say if all 36 governors contribute N500 million each, another N18 billion go enter. That one go bring total to over N66 billion. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Chairman of Nigeria Governors' Forum and Kwara State Governor, respond say dem go confer. “NGF dey ready to work with Federal Government,” AbdulRazaq promise. “We go present counterpart fund wey go align with wetin FG donate.”
The programme dey target serious matter. Malnutrition dey affect plenty Nigerian children. Pate explain say na major public health challenge wey contribute to under-five mortality. “Health no begin for hospitals alone,” the minister talk. “E begin for our homes, communities, and e start with adequate nutrition.”
How the food bank go work? Dem plan to establish community-based food banks for every Local Government Area. Dem go link am to Primary Health Care centres. System go use vouchers to give nutritious, locally sourced food to malnourished children under six years, pregnant and lactating women, orphans, and vulnerable households.
Hamisu Mohammed from Association of Local Governments of Nigeria give grassroots endorsement. “This initiative come at critical time for food insecurity and rising cost of living,” Mohammed talk. “Local government fully appreciate grassroots-driven solutions.”
Event carry weight. National Assembly members, ministers, traditional rulers including representatives of Sultan of Sokoto and Ooni of Ife, development partners, and civil society organisations all show face. Even National Health Fellows present memento to President Tinubu through the First Lady.
First Lady herself talk say child malnutrition na pressing national priority. “Each day of inaction affect their health, growth, potential and future,” Oluremi Tinubu warn. She explain say the programme align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The First Lady even announce personal donation of N500 million.
Muyi Aina, Executive Director of National Primary Health Care Development Agency, give implementation details. Him talk say programme go cover all 774 local government areas through primary healthcare centres. Beneficiaries go get identified through health screenings.
Bank of Agriculture Managing Director Ayodeji Sotinrin reveal say “Friends of the First Lady” contribute $500,000. The Community Food Bank Trust Fund go serve as capital engine with Bank of Agriculture as Managing Director.
As event wrap, mood dey hopeful. But work just begin. The billions wey dem pledge need to translate to food for hungry mouths. Communities dey wait. Children dey wait. Nigeria dey watch.
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