. As Tinubu’s wife begins distribution of food items in Abia

By Steve Oko

UMUAHIA – Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, has said that the challenge of poverty and economic destitution in Nigeria, requires a holistic approach for a lasting solution.

Otti spoke Friday at the International Conference Centre, ICC, Umuahia, during the visit of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who came to  distribute food items to vulnerable groups in Abia State as part of her Renewed Hope Initiative of the Social Investment Food Outreach Programme.

The Governor who commended the President’s wife for the initiative, empathised the need for leaders to prioritise job creation especially for women and youths.

He said:”The challenge of poverty and its manifestations in terms of hunger, homelessness, hopelessness require a holistic programme of economic development, one that prioritizes job creation for different demographics, especially women and young children.

“My position is that whatever we do as leaders, we have a responsibility to keep our focus on finding a realistic path to overcoming the myriad of challenges facing the country, which economic destitution is one of its manifestations. 

“It therefore entails that a comprehensive tracking system should be developed and managed locally to enable us monitor and assess our progress as we battle poverty together in the country”.

Gov. Otti appreciated the President’s wife for finding time to identify with the downtrodden in society, a gesture he said portrayed her as a true friend of the vulnerable.

“Being the wife of the President has not stopped our dear First Lady from being mindful of the grassroots population on whose votes everyone holding a political position in the country draws their powers. 

“Today’s event is proof that the poor and vulnerable in our country have a reliable friend in the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

” We are glad to receive you and appreciate your generous sentiments to our great state in matters connected to the welfare of women and young people, the less privileged and those hit by the shipwrecks of life,” Otti said.

Speaking further, Otti explained that his passion for the vulnerable compelled him to create the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection at assumption of office as Governor, so he could properly tackle their challenges. 

Handing over the food items for distribution, Mrs Tinubu  said that the aim of the programme was to further complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of her husband.

The President’s wife who was represented by the wife of the Vice President , Hajia Nana Shettima said that, the food outreach scheme which began on March 8, 2024, was aimed at bettering the lots of vulnerable Nigerians.

She said the distribution had so far been done in 11 states and the Federal Capital Territory, adding that,  the food items were donated  by two donors – Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative, and an anonymous donor.

The First Lady advised the beneficiaries not to sell the food items as they are for their families.

She announced that 250 persons living with disability would be empowered with N200,000 each for self reliance.

“We will be giving a grant of 200,000 Naira for 250 persons with disabilities to recapitalize their existing small businesses in the 36 states and the federal capital territories.

” Since inception in 2023, the Renewed Hope Initiative has made significant progress in our efforts to support our people, particularly women and youth towards building a better life for their families”, Mrs Tinubu stated.

She thanked Abia women and the State Government for the warm reception accorded her.

Speaking earlier, the Wife of Abia State Governor, Lady Priscilla Otti, lauded the President’s wife for her passion in assisting the less privileged and vulnerable groups.

Mrs Otti announced that as a partner in the project, Abia State Government had provided 3,000 bags of 10 kg rice to supplement  the ones donation from the President’s wife.

The Governor’s wife who promised equitable distribution of the items, promised that distribution would commence in a week’s time across the state.

Mrs Otti commended the Nigerian First Lady for the  continued support Abia State had been receiving  from Renewed Hope Initiative.

“The interventions of the Renewed Hope Initiative in Abia States have already had a significant  impact across education, empowerment, health, and nutrition”, she said.

“As the First Lady of Abia States and Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative in the state and the host and partner in this shared endeavour to bring hope and relief to our people, we are immensely proud of the support we have received and continue to receive from RHI.

“Together, let us continue to act in love, to lead with empathy, and to build a future where every home in Abia State, and indeed Nigeria, is free from hunger,” Mrs Otti said.

Some beneficiaries including Orasi Eze and Uzoma Ezebiiro, poured encomiums on the First Lady for the intervention, saying it will bring a relief to their families.

The event was attended by the wives of South East Governors; while the wives of Ogun State Governor; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; and Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, accompanied the President’s wife.