The First Lady presents the National Community Food Banking Program for North East Borno – THISAGE

….. Zulum Project Commission

By Salihu Pirkusu, Maiduguri

The President’s wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Monday canceled the National Community Food Bank Program (NCFBP) aimed at fighting hunger and malnutrition nationwide.

The Nigerian First Lady present in Maiduguri presented the program for the north-eastern states of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba.

This is because the First Lady commissioned the newly constructed nursing quarters at the state specialist hospital and the Mega Junior primary/secondary schools built in Abbaganaram and Aliyaskri communities with ICT centers by Governor Babagana Zulum within the metropolis.

He recalled that earlier in April this year in Abuja, at the inauguration of the Board of Directors and fundraising ceremony of the NCFBP, over $65 billion had been realized, mainly to fight malnutrition and hunger.

The food bank which includes beans, soybeans, rice, peanuts, watermelon, palm oil, dried fish, onions, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, eggs, tomatoes, oranges was implemented by the Office of the First Lady in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Bank of Agriculture and Bank of Industry which acts as a bridge between surplus food and communities in need.

Speaking in Maiduguri, the First Lady stressed that child malnutrition remains an urgent national priority, adding that millions of Nigerian children still do not have access to adequate nutrition and that this need must be addressed under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Agenda of Hope”.

He noted that the choice of Borno for the lunch is strategic due to the devastating crisis perpetrated by rebels which has affected the lives of resilient people in the region socially and economically.

According to her: “Child malnutrition in Nigeria remains an urgent national priority, with millions of children requiring consistent access to the nutrition necessary for healthy growth and development.

“Every day of our inaction impacts their health, growth, potential and future. Therefore, addressing this issue is urgent and essential to securing our nation’s future.” He said.

Mrs Tinubu described the initiative “as a sustainable intervention in line with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

“The Community Food Bank program was designed by us as a sustainable response to bring healthy, nutritious food within the reach of vulnerable children under six, strengthening community-based nutrition systems and restoring hope where it is needed most.

“Our goal is to build a strong and effective food banking system in Nigeria, supported by a well-structured trust fund, transparently governed and capable of reaching vulnerable communities and families across the country,” he said.

The First Lady in the company of Governor Zulum and his wife, Dr. Falmata Zulum, among other dignitaries, hosted the Shehu of Borno at her palace.

Royal Father, Dr. Abubakar Garbai Al-amin Elkanemi and Governor Zulum in their separate remarks commended President Tinubu, particularly his recent approval of $68 billion for operational support and maintenance of the Maiduguri Power Station to ensure a stable supply of electricity following Boko Haram’s incessant vandalism on power towers along the Maiduguri-Damaturu-Kano road.

Speaking briefly, Mrs Tinubu assured the two Borno leaders and the people of the North East of the Federal Government’s determination to address malnutrition and hunger under the NCFBP.

Also, while at Government House, the First Lady launched the distribution of sewing machines and a donation of 100,000 naira to each of the 2,000 women by the Borno State Government.

Governor Zulum in his speech, announced the donation of 500 million naira to support the NCFBP, while the First Lady also announced her donation to the tune of 500 million naira for the programme.

Post views:
104