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First Lady Expands National Food Security Initiative To Vulnerable Groups Across Nigeria

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First Lady Expands National Food Security Initiative To Vulnerable Groups Across Nigeria

** Says project has made positive impact on women, disabled, marginalised communities

By: Our Reporter

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reaffirmed the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s commitment to addressing food insecurity and empowering the nation’s most vulnerable populations through the expansion of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s (RHI) Food Outreach Scheme.

She affirmed that the programme, which officially began on March 8, 2024, will continue to deliver critical food assistance to women, persons with disabilities, and marginalised communities across the country.

The First Lady, who was represented by the Wife of the Vice President and Vice Chairman of RHI, Hajiya Nana Shettima, stated this at an RHI held on Friday at the International Conference Centre in Umuahia, Abia State, where she oversaw the handover of food supplies to Abia State’s RHI Coordinator, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, the Wife of the State Governor.

She said, “As I hand over these essential food commodities to Abia State and the RHI State Coordinator, I urge the beneficiaries to use these items for the well-being of their families. We at RHI are implementing several impactful interventions that are touching lives across the nation, and we are pleased that our efforts are yielding positive outcomes.”

Since its launch, the Food Outreach Scheme has reached eleven states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), including Benue, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Gombe, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, and Oyo.

The initiative is scheduled to reach Enugu and Kaduna next. Funded by The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) and an anonymous donor, the programme targets one state per month for food distribution.

The First Lady used the occasion to announce the rollout of several other new initiatives under RHI’s five core pillars—Social Investment, Economic Empowerment, Education, Health, and Agriculture—for the year 2025.

“Under Social Investment, RHI is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Environment to establish ‘The Environment Club’ for senior secondary school students and ‘The Environment Society’ for students in tertiary institutions nationwide. These initiatives aim to promote environmental cleanliness and tree planting.

“Under Economic Empowerment, RHI plans to disburse grants of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (₦200,000) each to 250 persons with disabilities in all 36 states and the FCT to support and recapitalise their small businesses.

“In the area of Education, the ‘Flow with Confidence’ programme will distribute 10,000 packs of sanitary pads—enough to last a year—to young girls, particularly those in rural communities. This initiative aims to help girls stay in school throughout their menstrual cycle,” Senator Tinubu said.

According to the First Lady, the programmes are designed to complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and to improve the lives of Nigerians across the country.

Senator Tinubu also commended the Wife of the Governor of Abia State for her outstanding efforts and support in ensuring the success of the RHI Food Outreach and other related programmes in the state.

Governor Alex Otti, speaking on behalf of the Abia State Government, declared his administration’s readiness to partner with organisations like RHI that aim to uplift the vulnerable. He applauded Senator Tinubu’s commitment and the tangible impacts of the RHI outreach.

Receiving the items, Mrs. Priscilla Otti highlighted the significant impact of the Food Outreach on families in the state. “This intervention has transformed many lives,” she stated, assuring the First Lady of continuous support and affirming that items would be distributed to individuals from diverse backgrounds to meet the programme’s objectives.
Also, Managing Director of ASR Africa and representative of BUA, Dr. Ubon Udoh, lauded the sustainable impact of RHI’s work and pledged continued support from the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative.

First Lady Expands National Food Security Initiative To Vulnerable Groups Across Nigeria

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Trans-Border Security: Zulum travels to Niger Republic Community

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Trans-Border Security: Zulum travels to Niger Republic Community

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Wednesday, undertook a working visit to Diffa Region of Niger Republic on Wednesday.

The visit, which included a high-level security and economic delegation, focused on strengthening the existing collaboration between Nigerian and Nigerien forces in the ongoing fight against insurgency, particularly around the shores of Lake Chad.

Diffa is a community 17 km from Damasak town in northern Borno where thousands of Nigerians displaced by Boko Haram insurgency are currently taking refuge.

Zulum was received by the Governor of Diffa, Brigadier General Mahamaduo Ibrahim Bagadoma, and other senior officials. The leaders held closed-door meetings centered on joint patrols, intelligence sharing, and sustaining the recent gains that have pushed insurgents out of many of their former strongholds.

Zulum outlined plan to leverage the improved security situation to facilitate the return of thousands of displaced farmers to the vast and fertile agricultural lands around Dutchi town within the Lake Chad basin.

Part of the Governor’s entourage are Engr Bukar Talba, a member of the House of Representatives, Speaker, Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, and otheir senior government officials.

Trans-Border Security: Zulum travels to Niger Republic Community

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Army Troops neutralised bandit as stray bullet mistakenly hits students during gunfight in Benue

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Army Troops neutralised bandit as stray bullet mistakenly hits students during gunfight in Benue

By: Zagazola Makama

A suspected bandit was neutralised by troops of Operation Whirl Stroke during a gun battle in Jato-Aka, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue, on Tuesday, but stray bullets mistakenly hit three students, killing one.

Zagazola Makama report that the incident occurred at about 3:20 p.m. while soldiers were returning from a routine patrol in the area.

The source said trouble started when the patrol team sighted some suspected bandits on a motorcycle carrying firearms.

“On sighting the troops, the hoodlums opened fire. The soldiers immediately engaged them in a gun duel. In the exchange of fire, one of the hoodlums was shot dead, while others escaped, abandoning their motorcycle.

“Unfortunately, three students of Government Science Secondary School, Jato-Aka, who were closing from school at the time, were hit by stray bullets. One female student was later confirmed dead by a doctor at NKST Hospital, Jato-Aka, while the other two were admitted and are responding to treatment,” the source explained.

The corpse of the neutralised bandit was also deposited at the NKST Hospital Mortuary.

Military sources confirmed the incident, stressing that the troops only acted in self-defence after being fired upon by the armed hoodlums.

He described the death of the student as an unfortunate accident, assuring that efforts would be made to prevent a repeat of such incidents.

Zagazola reports that news of the incident triggered a violent protest in Jato-Aka town, as angry youths took to the streets and set ablaze the office of the traditional ruler, Mue Ter.

The Police o confirmed the incident, saying personnel and operatives of the Police Mobile Force were deployed to the area to restore calm.

“The situation has been brought under control and normalcy has returned, but monitoring and patrols are ongoing to forestall further breakdown of law and order,”said the sources.

Meanwhile, authorities have appealed to residents of Jato-Aka to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies as investigations into the incident continue.

Army Troops neutralised bandit as stray bullet mistakenly hits students during gunfight in Benue

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Federal Commissioner PCC visits CP Borno on strategic synergy for better engagement

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Federal Commissioner PCC visits CP Borno on strategic synergy for better engagement

By: Our Reporter

The Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission (PCC), Borno State, Hon. Yusuf Adamu, has paid a courtesy visit to the Borno State Commissioner of Police, CP N. ABDULMAJID, to strengthen collaboration between the two institutions in addressing public complaints and enhancing community policing.

Hon. Adamu congratulated the Commissioner on his appointment and thanked him for the immediate attention given to complaints. He said:

“The synergy between the Commission and the Police is vital. We urge the Command to continue to be proactive in handling cases, especially those related to drugs, which are fueling vices such as TikTok and other cybercrime in schools.”

He also urged the Police Command to work closely with community leaders, parents, schools, and religious institutions to address drug abuse among children and young adults. He further linked the PCC’s forthcoming 50th Anniversary to the importance of psychosocial support and thanked the Police Commissioner for assigning an officer to liaise with the PCC in the enforcement unit.

In his response, the Commissioner of Police commended the PCC for consistently referring prosecutable cases to the Police. He assured:

“The same cooperation I experienced with the Commission in my former command will be replicated in Borno. We shall continue to work hand in hand with stakeholders to ensure that complaints are addressed and cases within the PCC’s powers referred for effective investigation.”

He added that community policing had come to stay and would involve community leaders, market women, imams, and parents. He also called for regulation of social media misuse, while urging the PCC to intensify enlightenment of citizens.

The visit featured the signing of the visitors’ book, presentation of the PCC’s Act and mandate, and a group photograph.

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