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First Lady Expands National Food Security Initiative To Vulnerable Groups Across Nigeria
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
Nigeria loses Consular General in Buea, Cameroon
By: Michael Mike
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the sudden demise of Ambassador Taofik Obasanjo Coker, the Consul General of Nigeria in Buea, Republic of Cameroon, who unfortunately passed on after a brief illness on Saturday, 16th August 2025.
According to a statement by the spokesperson of the ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, Ambassador Coker was a hardworking and dedicated career diplomat who served Nigeria with distinction, commitment and professionalism in different capacities.
He said: “His untimely death, therefore, is a great loss to the diplomatic community and the nation at large.”
Ebienfa added that: “Prior to his appointment and assumption of duty as Consul-General of Nigeria, in Buea, he served Nigeria meritoriously in our Missions in Conakry, Guinea and Shanghai, China.”
The statement further read. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends its heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, colleagues and friends at this difficult time and prays for the peaceful repose of his soul.”
Nigeria loses Consular General in Buea, Cameroon
Sokoto, Zamfara communities reject calls for dialogue with Turji, fault Prof. Ribah
By: Zagazola Makama
Communities in Sabon Birni and Isa Local Government Areas of Sokoto State, as well as parts of Shinkafi in Zamfara, have rejected fresh calls for dialogue with notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji.
The rejection was contained in a strongly worded response to Prof. Abubakar Usman Ribah, who had advocated for renewed peace talks with Turji and his fighters as a pathway to stability in the North-West.
Residents, in a statement circulated to newsmen on Wednesday, said they were the “direct victims” of Turji’s decade-long reign of terror and would not accept peace overtures that fail to address justice and the plight of displaced persons.
They recalled that over 13 years, Turji’s group had attacked no fewer than 89 villages in Sabon Birni and Isa axis, killing scores, abducting hundreds for ransom, and forcing more than two-thirds of the population into displacement within Niger Republic.
“Prof. Ribah, we are the natives of the lands Turji has destroyed; our parents and grandparents still live in these communities. We do not need second-hand information. We know this tragedy more than anyone,” the statement read.
The communities accused Turji’s fighters of widespread atrocities, including mass killings, arson, cattle rustling, abductions, extortion, and sexual violence against women.
They also faulted earlier government-backed peace initiatives, which they said failed to stop Turji despite financial inducements, provision of livestock feed, and even construction of houses in his base at Fakai.
“Every attempt at dialogue only emboldened him. Bello Turji continues to torment our people. Therefore, forcing us into another round of fruitless peace is unacceptable,” the residents said.
They questioned whether Prof. Ribah had ever consulted with traditional rulers or displaced community leaders from Sabon Birni and Isa before canvassing reconciliation with the warlord.
“Sulhu (peace) is desirable in Islam, but no believer is compelled to put his hand twice into the same pit. We have suffered too many losses. Our communities have no trust left in Turji,” the statement added.
The residents stressed that genuine peace could only come through justice, accountability, and restoration of the rights of affected villagers.
Bello Turji, designated by the military as a wanted bandit leader, has been accused of masterminding several deadly attacks across Sokoto, Zamfara and Niger Republic border communities.
Sokoto, Zamfara communities reject calls for dialogue with Turji, fault Prof. Ribah
Police arrest vandals targeting solar infrastructure in Abuja
By: Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the FCT Police Command have arrested two suspects involved in the vandalism of solar poles and lights in Abuja.
Zagazola gathered that on Aug. 17 at about 2:30 a.m., a Jabi Division patrol intercepted vandals at Kado axis damaging solar poles, cables, and lights. Upon sighting the police vehicle, the suspects attempted to flee into nearby bushes and flower gardens.
Two suspects were apprehended during the operation: Emmanuel Danladi, 22, of Gwarinpa, and Muhammed Hassan, 23, of Life Camp. Recovered from them were four solar light poles, one solar light, an iron shovel, two iron cutters, and two melter saws.
The suspects confessed to their involvement in the vandalism and provided information on their accomplices and receivers of the stolen items. Investigation is ongoing.
End
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