Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady, on Friday, launched the National Community Food Bank Programme for the South-South zone in Calabar.

The launch marked the initiative’s fifth zonal rollout across Nigeria.

The programme targets vulnerable households, particularly children under six, pregnant women, and lactating mothers, with nutritious food support.

Speaking at the launch, Mrs Tinubu said the initiative would address food insecurity while improving nutrition and health outcomes among vulnerable Nigerians.

She said the programme aligned with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on food security, healthcare, and citizens’ wellbeing.

Mrs Tinubu said three food banks had been established across Cross River’s Southern, Central, and Northern Senatorial Districts to ensure wider access.

She said the programme would achieve nationwide coverage in 2027, with the sixth zonal launch scheduled for Anambra.

The first lady also announced President Bola Tinubu’s approval of N25 million each for 18 victims of the Calabar Mall fire.

She said the intervention would help the affected business owners recover from losses suffered during the incident.

Mrs Tinubu also inaugurated an ICT Experience Centre at the University of Cross River, aimed at promoting digital skills and youth empowerment.

Welcoming the first lady, Governor Bassey Otu described the food bank initiative as one of her enduring interventions supporting vulnerable Nigerians.

Mr Otu said the programme complemented the state government’s efforts to address hunger and improve the welfare of vulnerable residents.

He said Cross River had established functional food banks across its three senatorial districts to strengthen efforts against food insecurity.

According to him, his administration was also tackling food insecurity through agricultural investments, including a 50,000-hectare rice farming programme.

He said the initiatives also targeted farmers, fishermen, and agribusiness operators across the state.

“Cross River has established an agro-processing zone and is developing agricultural value chains covering rice, fisheries, livestock and other sectors,” he said.

The governor pledged the state’s support for the food bank programme and urged sustained collaboration among governments, partners, and communities.

He said such collaboration would help reduce poverty, strengthen livelihoods, and improve food security across vulnerable communities.

Also speaking, Ali Pate, coordinating minister of health and social welfare, said the programme was critical to tackling malnutrition and stunting.

Mr Pate said malnutrition and stunting posed serious threats to Nigeria’s human capital development and future prosperity.

He urged South-South governors to replicate the food bank model by leveraging existing primary healthcare infrastructure.

This, he said, would ensure vulnerable children and women received adequate food and essential micronutrients.

At the ICT centre inauguration, Aminu Masari, chairman of the TETFund Board of Trustees, commended Tinubu for supporting human capital development.

Mr Masari said ICT Experience Centres and upgraded learning facilities would equip Nigerian youths with digital skills, innovation, and technology.

He said the interventions would strengthen young Nigerians’ capacity to compete effectively in the global economy.

 (NAN)