By Augustine Ehikioya
The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), led by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has extended its food relief programme to vulnerable Nigerians in Ogun State, making it the 32nd state to benefit from the initiative.
The programme, which provides food assistance to persons with disabilities, widows and other vulnerable individuals, is designed to cushion their immediate needs and improve their welfare.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mrs Kwapchi Bata-Hamman, Special Assistant to the President on Media and ICT, Office of the Vice-President, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The food outreach is supported by an anonymous donor and the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), with two truckloads of food items supplied monthly for distribution through the wives of state governors, who serve as RHI state coordinators.
At the formal presentation in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, the First Lady was represented by the wife of the Vice-President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, who said the intervention reflected the initiative’s continued commitment to providing nutritional support to vulnerable Nigerians.
Oluremi Tinubu announced Akwa Ibom State as the next beneficiary of the programme and identified ASR Africa as the supplier of the food items presented to Ogun State.
She commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for his hospitality and appreciated the Ogun State First Lady, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, for her commitment to implementing RHI programmes and facilitating support for vulnerable residents.
“On this note, to the glory of God and for the benefit of humanity, I hereby hand over these food items to the First Lady of Ogun State for onward distribution to the beneficiaries,” Tinubu said.
In his remarks, Governor Abiodun commended the RHI for its interventions in support of vulnerable groups, assuring that his administration would continue to work with the Federal Government to improve the welfare of residents.
He said genuine progress should be measured by the well-being of vulnerable groups, including older persons, persons with disabilities, children and widows.
“Vulnerability does not diminish an individual’s capacity or worth and should never be a basis for exclusion,” the governor said.
Abiodun also stressed the need for sustainable approaches to food security, noting that efforts must go beyond food production to include modern agricultural practices, processing, marketing and the development of rural enterprises.
He acknowledged the importance of targeted interventions in improving livelihoods and strengthening local economic activities, while commending the RHI for supporting farmers, breastfeeding mothers and other vulnerable groups.
The Ogun State First Lady, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, described the initiative as a practical demonstration of care and support for vulnerable Nigerians.
She said the interventions were helping to improve livelihoods, strengthen household incomes and create opportunities for families to achieve greater economic stability.
Mrs Abiodun also expressed appreciation to Oluremi Tinubu for sustaining the programme across the country, particularly its focus on reaching people in need of direct assistance.
The Managing Director of ASR Africa, Dr Ubon Udoh, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to restoring dignity to families across Nigeria.
Udoh said the organisation allocated an annual budget of $100 million for interventions, with 50 per cent earmarked for Nigeria.
He described the partnership with the RHI as a strategic collaboration aimed at delivering lasting impact and improving the lives of vulnerable Nigerians.
