Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, on Friday, flagged off the Renewed Hope Initiative’s food outreach scheme in Umuahia, announcing fresh support for vulnerable Nigerians under the economic empowerment arm of the initiative.
Speaking on behalf of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Shettima revealed that 250 persons with disabilities across the country would each receive a ₦200,000 grant to boost their existing small businesses.
The official launch of the outreach, held at the International Conference Centre, marked Abia as the 12th state to benefit from the programme, which Shettima described as part of ongoing efforts to “build a better life” for women, youths, and disadvantaged groups.
“I am glad to be here today to formally hand over essential food commodities to Abia State through the First Lady and Renewed Hope Initiative State Coordinator, Her Excellency Mrs Priscilla Otti, for onwards distribution to the vulnerable,” she said.
Shettima outlined the wide scope of the Renewed Hope Initiative, noting that since its inception in 2023, it has delivered food supplies, menstrual hygiene products, educational outreach, and tree-planting campaigns in 11 states and the FCT namely Benue, Cross River, Oyo, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Gombe, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, and Nasarawa states.
According to her, the food distribution was made possible through donations from the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) and an anonymous donor, with commitments for monthly supplies.
“We implore beneficiaries not to sell these items. They are meant to support your families in these difficult times,” she cautioned.
She further disclosed that 10,000 sanitary pad packs will be distributed per state to encourage school attendance among girls in rural areas, with the initiative also launching environmental clubs for secondary and tertiary students to promote climate consciousness.
“Abia is the 12th state to benefit from the scheme, which began in the FCT on March 8, 2024. Enugu and Kaduna are the next states on the list,” Shettima added.
Welcoming guests earlier, the First Lady of Abia State, Mrs Priscilla Otti, said the initiative reflects empathy in action.
“Our mission is simple and clear: to eradicate hunger in Abia State and contribute meaningfully to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal — Zero Hunger,” she said.
She announced that the state government had donated 8,000 bags of 10kg rice to complement that of the federal government, adding that the distribution exercise would continue in the coming years. Recipients, she noted, were drawn from various political, religious, and social backgrounds, including people with disabilities and illiterate citizens.
Thanking Senator Oluremi Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Initiative for choosing Abia, she said, “This initiative will go a long way in cushioning the effects of economic hardship on our people. We assure you that these items will get to the right hands, and we will continue to partner with the federal government to uplift the vulnerable.”
Delivering a reflective keynote address titled Compassion in Difficult Times, Governor Alex Otti called for a leadership style anchored in empathy.
“Leadership is a call to empathy. These are difficult times for millions of Nigerians. We must remind our people that they are not defined by economic hardship but united in shared humanity,” he said.
Otti praised Senator Tinubu for standing by Nigerians during trying times and commended Hajia Shettima for her support. He also acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s contribution to resolving electricity challenges in Aba through the Geometric Power deal, describing it as “a brother-to-brother gesture”.
Also speaking, Managing Director of Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), Dr Ubon Udoh, representing one of the key partners of the Renewed Hope Initiative, reiterated the group’s long-term commitment to impacting lives through investments in health, education, and social development.
Rounding off the event, Abia State Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Ngozi Felix, in her vote of thanks, appreciated the federal government and partners for their support.
She said the food outreach scheme is “a concrete demonstration of the commitment to leaving no one behind.”
THE WHISTLER reports that 3,000 bags of rice were distributed alongside thousands of food packs containing spaghetti, seasoning, and samvita.
Some beneficiaries who spoke with THE WHISTLER thanked the government for the initiative, noting that the food items received were not just relief materials but also a reassuring sign that even in hard times, their leaders still care.