By Joan Nwagwu
Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has distributed food items to no fewer than 1,200 vulnerable, internally displaced and people living with disabilities in Nasarawa State.
Tinubu inaugurated the symbolic distribution of the Food Outreach Scheme for Persons with Disabilities and the vulnerable groups on Tuesday in Lafia.
Represented by Hajiya Nana Shettima, Wife of the Vice President, the first lady said that the gesture was part of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Food Outreach Scheme, as part of the Social Investment Programme.
According to her, the food outreach scheme is specially designed to provide support to the under privileged in line with the resolve of President Bola Tinubu to leave no one behind.
“This is also to ensure food security and sufficiency in the country.
“Under this scheme, a trailer load of assorted food items is donated to the state government for onward distribution to identified groups,”she said.
She added that the Federal Capital Territory, Kaduna and now Nasarawa states have benefited from the scheme under the special programme of RHI.
She, however, said that Benue would be next while other states would also benefit in due course.
The first lady also noted that in addition to the Social Investment Programme, the RHI also have other programmes that focuses on health, agriculture, education and economic empowerment to better the lives of people in the country.
She said that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with RHI had concluded plans to donate a truck load of fertilisers and bags of rice to each state of the federation.
She added that Nasarawa State would be first to benefit from the collaboration.
“The Renewed Hope Initiative has also graciously approved a grant of N50,000 to 1,000 women in each state as part of our women economic empowerment programme, ”she said.
To the beneficiaries, she assured them of continued support and encouraged them to be steadfast, especially those in vulnerable communities.
She, therefore, commended states government for their support for the Renewed Hope Initiatives.
Some of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the support.
Blessing David, a beneficiary from Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Area, commended the federal government for seeing reasons to extend helping hand to the poor masses.
“Now we have gotten what will sustain us for some time and we appreciate them greatly. May God bless them to do more.
Also, Halima Musa, from Doma Local Government Area, appreciated the federal government for the items.
“I do not have hands, I cannot work, so it has not been easy. I am so happy to be part of those that benefited from these food items.
“I am very happy, God should bless them more for them to remember more people like us,”she said.