Oluremi Tinubu urges governors to establish food banks in senatorial districts

Wife of the President, Oluremi Tinubu, has urged state governors to establish functional community food banks in all three senatorial districts of their states to tackle food insecurity and malnutrition.

Tinubu made the call on Friday during the distribution of food items to Katsina State under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Food Outreach Scheme, which has now reached 30 states.

Represented by the wife of the Vice-President, Nana Shettima, she said federal government interventions alone were insufficient to address the country’s food challenges, stressing the need for states to establish community-based support systems.

She urged governors to adopt the framework of the National Community Food Bank Programme to ensure that food supplies reach vulnerable households more effectively.

According to her, food banks in each senatorial district would improve access to essential supplies, particularly for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and children suffering from malnutrition.

Launched in March 2024, the RHI Food Outreach Scheme provides food assistance to widows, persons with disabilities and low-income families.

The programme is supported by two corporate partners that provide two truckloads of food monthly, enabling the initiative to reach two states each month.

Osun, Ogun and Akwa Ibom states are scheduled to benefit from subsequent distributions.

Receiving the food items, Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, commended the initiative, describing it as support for efforts to improve residents’ welfare.