…Names Ogun, Akwa Ibom next

The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), the social intervention platform of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has extended its food relief programme to Osun State, bringing to 31 the number of states reached since the scheme was launched in March 2024.

The initiative, which provides food support to vulnerable Nigerians, has named Ogun and Akwa Ibom as the next beneficiaries, as it sustains its nationwide drive to ease hardship among disadvantaged households.

The First Lady, represented at the presentation ceremony by the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, handed over the food items to the wife of the Osun State governor and RHI state coordinator, Mrs Titilola Adeleke, for distribution to persons with disabilities, widows and other vulnerable groups.

Speaking through her representative, Mrs Tinubu said the scheme was designed to complement President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by ensuring that vulnerable citizens receive support irrespective of their circumstances.

She attributed the programme’s continuity to the generosity of two donors who provide two truckloads of food items to the RHI every month, enabling the initiative to support two states monthly.

The donors are the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) and an individual who has chosen to remain anonymous.

Mrs Tinubu disclosed that the food items delivered to Osun were provided entirely by the anonymous donor.

“This particular supply we are distributing today in Osun is entirely from our anonymous donor. I thank both partners for their deep generosity and sustained commitment to supporting vulnerable populations in Nigeria,” she said.

She also commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for the reception accorded the delegation and praised his wife for her commitment to implementing RHI programmes in the state.

Governor Adeleke, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, described the food intervention as a humanitarian effort to address the needs of disadvantaged citizens.

He commended the First Lady for initiating and sustaining people-oriented programmes through the RHI since 2023 and assured her of the Osun State Government’s continued support for the initiative.

In her welcome address, Mrs Adeleke described the outreach as another milestone for Osun State, expressing gratitude to the First Lady for extending the programme to the state.

She said RHI interventions had benefited elderly citizens, petty traders, farmers and other vulnerable groups through programmes covering social welfare, agriculture, food security, education and healthcare.

The Food Outreach Scheme is part of the RHI’s broader commitment to social inclusion and humanitarian support for Nigerians facing economic hardship and other vulnerabilities.