The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the North-East phase of the national community food bank programme, as part of efforts to tackle child malnutrition across the country. 

Mrs Tinubu said on Monday in Maiduguri that child malnutrition remained a pressing national concern requiring urgent and coordinated intervention.

She noted that millions of Nigerian children still lacked access to adequate nutrition, adding that the expansion of the programme was aimed at addressing the challenge nationwide.

The first lady acknowledged the support of the federal government, state governors, private-sector partners, and well-meaning Nigerians toward ending malnutrition among Nigerian children.

She said, “Their generosity affirms that we are indeed our brothers’ keepers and gives confidence that this programme will endure and thrive for many years beyond this administration.

“Globally, community food banks have proven to be effective mechanisms for delivering nutritious food to those who need it most.

“By building strong partnerships among farmers, food producers, corporate organisations and communities, food banks bridge the gap between abundance and need.

“The success of this programme will depend on sustained collaboration. We must work together to build a transparent, accountable and well-structured food bank system that reaches vulnerable households across Nigeria.”

She noted that the programme aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, especially in advancing food security, improved healthcare and national development.

She said the initiative was being implemented in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the Bank of Agriculture.

She added that the programme would be extended to other geopolitical zones while calling for stronger partnerships and increased stakeholder support.

“I therefore call on individuals, organisations and institutions across the North-East to support and actively participate in this initiative as we commence zonal rollouts nationwide.

“The choice of Borno State for the North-East launch is strategic. The region has faced security challenges, which have contributed to food insecurity and child malnutrition.

“This programme will complement ongoing efforts by state governments to improve access to nutritious food, especially for women and children,” she said.

Mrs Tinubu also commended Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno for empowering 2,000 women, many of whom she said were potential beneficiaries of the programme.

The North-East is one of the major beneficiaries of the initiative, which aims to support about 500,000 households nationwide with nutritious food.

Those who will benefit from the initiative include pregnant women, children under six, and other vulnerable groups.

The National Community Food Bank Trust Fund was inaugurated in Abuja on April 2, alongside its board of trustees. 

(NAN)