First Lady extends renewed hope food outreach to Ondo

…Food outreach restores dignity, hope to vulnerable families – Aiyedatiwa’s Wife
…Gov Aiyedatiwa reaffirms commitment to federal government programmes

By Tolulope Eniola

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has intensified efforts to combat hunger and child malnutrition with the expansion of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Social Investment Programme Food Outreach Scheme to Ondo State, providing relief to vulnerable residents through food support.

Represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, at the distribution ceremony held on Tuesday at the International Centre for Culture and Events (The Dome), Akure, the First Lady said the initiative was designed to improve access to nutritious food while strengthening community support systems for vulnerable Nigerians.

She explained that the Food Outreach Scheme, launched in March 2024, was targeted at persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups to support their families and improve their well-being.

According to her, the programme is sustained through monthly donations of two truckloads of food items from the Abdusamad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) and another anonymous donor, enabling two states to benefit every month. She disclosed that Ondo State became the 28th beneficiary of the initiative, with the food consignment provided by ASR Africa.

Senator Tinubu said the programme complements the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by addressing food insecurity and malnutrition while giving vulnerable Nigerians opportunities to live healthier and more productive lives.

She also highlighted the establishment of Community Food Banks across the country, noting that the North-East project was launched in Borno State in April 2026, followed by the North-West in Jigawa State in June, while the South-West launch is scheduled for August.

The First Lady commended Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for his commitment to the welfare of the people of Ondo State and also praised his wife, Mrs Esther Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, for her dedication to implementing the Renewed Hope Initiative and supporting vulnerable groups in the state.

In her welcome address, Mrs Esther Aiyedatiwa reaffirmed the Ondo State Government’s commitment to the objectives of the Renewed Hope Initiative, pledging sustained collaboration with the Federal Government to expand social intervention programmes for vulnerable residents.

Represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Abosede Adelami, the governor’s wife described the food outreach as a demonstration of compassionate leadership, stressing that it was not merely about distributing food but about restoring dignity, extending compassion and renewing hope for vulnerable families.

She noted that the Renewed Hope Initiative had continued to demonstrate that leadership is most meaningful when it directly impacts lives at the grassroots.

Mrs Aiyedatiwa expressed appreciation to Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her unwavering commitment to supporting women, children, persons with disabilities, widows and other vulnerable groups across the country.

She observed that the intervention came at a time when many households continued to grapple with economic hardship, adding that the food packages would help ease the burden on beneficiaries.

The Ondo First Lady further explained that the initiative extended beyond food distribution, with complementary efforts focused on skills acquisition, livelihood support, access to social services and policies that promote women’s economic inclusion.

Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, in his remarks, described the programme as a clear demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to alleviating poverty and supporting vulnerable Nigerians.

He said the initiative represented more than the distribution of food items, describing it as a celebration of compassion, solidarity and a shared commitment to improving the lives of the less privileged.

The governor commended the Renewed Hope Initiative for identifying and responding to pressing needs within communities and praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for supporting programmes aimed at reducing poverty across the country.

Aiyedatiwa reaffirmed the Ondo State Government’s loyalty and commitment to implementing Federal Government programmes, noting that such initiatives had continued to benefit the Sunshine State.

He assured that his administration would continue to pursue policies that improve food availability, affordability and access in line with its “OUR EASE” Development Agenda, which prioritises the welfare, dignity and resilience of women, children and families.

The governor also urged beneficiaries to see the intervention as part of sustained efforts to build resilient communities through social investments that uphold human dignity.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Abdusamad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), Dr Ubon Udoh, said the organisation remained committed to partnering with the Renewed Hope Initiative to support programmes that provide relief, restore dignity and strengthen communities.

He disclosed that ASR Africa, the philanthropic foundation of BUA Group Chairman, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, currently implements 84 projects across Nigeria and 16 others in African countries, with annual interventions in health, education and social development.

The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami; Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olusegun Odusola; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti; wife of the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Mrs Bosede Adelami; wives of Osun, Ogun and Jigawa States, Titilola Adeleke, Bamidele Abiodun and Hajiya Hadiza Umar Namadi; wife of Minister of Health, Hajiya Karime Pate; Head of Service, Chief Olusegun Odusola; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Seun Osamaye; members of the State Executive Council; members of the Ondo State House of Assembly; Local Government Chairmen; traditional rulers; the Grand Chief Imam of Akure Kingdom, Sheikh Dr Abdulhakeem Yayi Akorede; heads of security agencies, among others.