First Lady expands Food Outreach Scheme to vulnerable groups nationwide

By Kunle Sanni

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to tackling food insecurity and empowering vulnerable populations through the expansion of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Food Outreach Scheme.

This was disclosed in a statement on Saturday by Kwapchi Bata Hamman, Special Assistant to the President on Media & ICT (Office of the Vice President).

According to the statement, the programme—which launched on March 8, 2024—continues to provide essential food aid to women, persons with disabilities, and marginalised communities across Nigeria.

Represented by the Wife of the Vice President and Vice Chair of RHI, Hajiya Nana Shettima, the First Lady made the remarks at an RHI event held Friday at the International Conference Centre in Umuahia, Abia State, where food supplies were handed over to Mrs. Priscilla Otti, Wife of the State Governor and Abia State’s RHI Coordinator.

So far, the outreach has covered eleven states and the FCT—including Benue, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Gombe, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, and Oyo—with Enugu and Kaduna next in line. The programme is funded by the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) and an anonymous donor.

The First Lady also announced new RHI initiatives for 2025, including environmental clubs in schools, ₦200,000 business grants for persons with disabilities across all states, and sanitary pad distribution to help girls stay in school during their menstrual cycle.

She praised Mrs. Otti for her support and highlighted that all RHI programmes are aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda to improve lives across Nigeria.

Governor Alex Otti pledged continued partnership with RHI, while Mrs. Otti and ASR Africa’s Managing Director, Dr. Ubon Udoh, commended the impact of the initiative and promised ongoing support.