Giant strides to end child manutrition in Nigeria are being taken as the First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu officially launched the North-East zone of the National Community Food Bank Programme (NCFBP) for vulnerable malnourished mothers, pregnant women and children between the ages of zero to six years.
Speaking at the inauguration on Monday in Maiduguri, Senator Oluremi Tinubu said that child malnutrition remains a pressing national priority that requires urgent attention, therefore, the programme is to put food on the tables of these vulnerable groups in the country.
She stated that millions of Nigerian children still lack access to adequate nutrition, noting that it is one of the reasons the federal government is expanding the National Community Food Bank Programme across the nation to supply food to those who need it most.
She acknowledged the support of the Federal Government, State Governors, private sector partners, and Nigerians in general to end manutrition in Nigeria children.
”Their generosity affirms that we are indeed our brothers’ keepers and gives confidence that this programme will endure and thrive for many years to come 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.”
According to the First Lady, the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, particularly in advancing food security, improved healthcare and building a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
The First Lady called for more partnerships for the programme.
“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.
”I would like to seize this opportunity to specially commend the Governor Babagana Zulum for his remarkable gesture of empowering 2,000 women, many of whom are potential beneficiaries of the National Community Food Bank Project we are launching today.
The Borno State Governor Prof Babagana Zulum in his address, noted the support of the President and First Lady in various areas especially in ameliorating the challenges occasioned by insurgency in the state.
He pointed out the recent approval of N68bn for the purchase of fossil fuels for the State power plant by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, establishment of a College of Education among others.
The Coordinating Minister of Health, and Social Walfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, in his remarks said the programme is designed to establish community-based food banks in every local government area, linked to primary healthcare centres supported by the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, in partnership with the Bank of Agriculture.
”It will provide nutritious, locally sourced food through a voucher system to malnourished children under six years, pregnant and lactating women, orphans, and vulnerable households.
Prof. Pate also revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved a special intervention of N17 billion through the Social Action Fund to support the programme.
The Minister for Agriculture Sen. Abubakar Kyari explained to the gathering the modalities for the food bank which will feature mothers and children who have been diagnosed as malnourished at the health care facility, receive a food voucher to be taken to the Primary Health Center and redeemed as food.
It would be recalled that on April 2, the National Community Food Bank Trust Fund was officially launched and the Board of Trustees was inagurated in at the State House Conference Hall Abuja.
The North-East is a major beneficiary of the National Community Food Bank initiative, which aims to support 500,000 households nationwide with nutritious food, focusing on pregnant women, vulnerable children under six and disadvantaged communities.
Also today, the First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu also commissioned a Nurses Quarters and two Junior and Secondary Schools in the State.
She also met with the Shehu of Borno and other traditional leaders in the State.
