Oluremi Tinubu launches North-East community food bank programme to tackle child malnutrition
The First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the North-East zonal phase of the National Community Food Bank Programme (NCFBP), a national initiative aimed at reducing child malnutrition and improving access to food for vulnerable households.
According to a statement by her spokesperson, Busola Kukoyi, the programme was inaugurated on Monday in Maiduguri, where the First Lady said the intervention is designed to address urgent nutrition challenges affecting women and children across the country.
“Child malnutrition remains a pressing national priority that requires urgent attention,” she said, adding that the initiative is intended “to put food on the tables of these vulnerable groups in the country.”
She noted that millions of Nigerian children still lack access to adequate nutrition, stressing the need for expanded support systems nationwide.
“Globally, community food banks have proven to be effective mechanisms for delivering nutritious food to those who need it most,” she said. “By building strong partnerships among farmers, food producers, corporate organisations, and communities, food banks bridge the gap between abundance and need.”
According to her, the success of the programme will depend on collaboration across sectors. “We must work together to build a transparent, accountable, and well-structured food bank system that reaches vulnerable households across Nigeria,” she added.
She linked the initiative to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting its focus on food security, healthcare, and national development.
The First Lady also called for wider participation, saying: “I therefore call on individuals, organisations, and institutions across the North-East to support and actively participate in this initiative as we commence zonal rollouts nationwide.”
