Amanze Chinonye
First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Monday launched the North-West chapter of the National Community Food Bank Programme in Jigawa State, marking a major step in the Federal Government’s drive to combat child malnutrition and improve food security for vulnerable households across the region, Prime Business Africa reports.
The launch, held at the Government House Conference Hall in Dutse, brought together the governors of all seven North-West states Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), Dikko Umaru Radda (Katsina), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Ahmad Aliyu (Sokoto) and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara) underscoring the regional backing for the initiative.
Join our WhatsApp Channel
In a symbolic recognition of her visit, the Jigawa State Government named the Gandun Sarki Road after the First Lady. Mrs Tinubu also inaugurated the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Clinic and Dialysis Centre, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road linking Hadejia, Garun Gabas and Dolan, and the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Future Academy in Hadejia.
READ ALSO :
Speaking at the ceremony, the First Lady said the National Community Food Bank Programme was conceived to address the growing challenge of child malnutrition following a directive from President Bola Tinubu to complement existing nutrition interventions under the Renewed Hope Initiative.
She explained that while child nutrition falls under the Office of the Vice President, the President mandated her office to strengthen ongoing efforts in response to alarming reports of malnutrition across the country.
“We should not wait until children become severely malnourished before intervening. The Food Bank will provide nutritious food to pregnant women, nursing mothers and children below the age of six through Primary Healthcare Centres,” she said.
Mrs Tinubu said the programme would provide sustained nutritional support to expectant and nursing mothers throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding, while ensuring children under six receive regular supplies of nutritious food to prevent severe malnutrition. Community food banks, she added, would be established near primary healthcare centres nationwide to improve accessibility.
She disclosed that the initiative, first launched in Borno State, is now being expanded across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with the North-West becoming the latest beneficiary.
Highlighting the scale of support for the programme, the First Lady said the Dangote Group had pledged food items worth ₦20 billion, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) committed ₦30 billion towards the construction of food bank facilities nationwide.
She also announced a personal donation of ₦500 million to the initiative, noting that the Bank of Agriculture and other development partners had made significant contributions.
According to her, all food items distributed under the programme will be locally produced, processed and packaged to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural value chain while supporting local farmers and businesses.
Beyond the food security intervention, Mrs Tinubu inaugurated the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Future Academy, describing it as a strategic investment in digital innovation, entrepreneurship and youth empowerment.
Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said the academy was designed to prepare young Nigerians for the digital economy through world-class training and innovation.
He said the facility houses a state-of-the-art Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab) for robotics, artificial intelligence and health technology research, an AI-powered innovation hub, startup incubation and pitch centre, computer-based testing facilities, collaborative workspaces, an auditorium and a 60-bed hostel for trainees.
According to Abdullahi, the academy will also support research into wearable diagnostic devices for the early detection of kidney diseases and the development of advanced prosthetics using 3D scanning and printing technology.
READ MORE :
The First Lady also inaugurated the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Clinic, a modern healthcare facility equipped with a dialysis centre, operating theatre, maternity and labour ward, diagnostic laboratories and an integrated oxygen supply system.
Powered by renewable energy, the clinic is expected to improve access to quality healthcare for residents of Hadejia and neighbouring communities while serving as a practical hub for deploying health technologies developed at the academy.
Governor Umar Namadi described the projects as transformative investments that would strengthen healthcare delivery, deepen digital innovation and improve the welfare of Jigawa residents.
He thanked the First Lady for bringing the National Community Food Bank Programme to the North-West, saying the initiative would complement the state’s efforts to address food insecurity, improve maternal and child nutrition, and enhance the quality of life for vulnerable families.
The launch of the North-West Community Food Bank represents the latest phase of a nationwide programme that combines nutritional support, public-private sector funding and community-based distribution to tackle hunger and child malnutrition while reinforcing primary healthcare delivery across Nigeria.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
