BY FAIZA JIBRIN, OCTOBER 2, 2025 | 20:20PM
Vulnerable households in Borno State received a renewed sense of hope and compassion as the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) launched a food outreach program in Maiduguri.
The initiative, spearheaded by Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, aims to support families facing hardship across the country.
Representing the First Lady at the launching that held at Government House Maiduguri, Hajia Nana Kashim Shettima, wife of the Vice President, disclosed that the food outreach scheme was launched in March 2024 and has so far covered 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
She announced that Bayelsa, Imo, and Yobe states are next in line to benefit from the program.
'Our goal at the Renewed Hope Initiative is to complement the agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which aims to support all Nigerians to strive and achieve their goals, regardless of their condition or status,' Hajia Nana said.
According to her, the food outreach program is part of RHI's broader initiatives, which include menstrual hygiene support for schoolgirls, women economic empowerment, environmental clubs in schools, and targeted interventions for the elderly and persons with disabilities.
'We plan to launch more economic empowerment programs aimed at supporting the elderly and persons with disabilities across the country,' Hajia Nana added.
In her remarks, the First Lady of Borno State, Dr. Falmata Babagana Umara Zulum, described the outreach as more than just food distribution, emphasizing that it represents dignity, compassion, and hope for struggling families.
'This food is not just about survival. It is about reassurance that they are not forgotten, that they are valued, and that Nigeria stands with them in their journey of rebuilding their lives,' she said.
Deputy Governor Dr. Usman Umar Kadafur, representing the Borno State Governor, expressed gratitude to RHI and its donors for remembering vulnerable families.
'I want to assure you that only families will utilize whatever is given to them judiciously, and we continue to pray for the success of this administration under the leadership of our president,' he said.
Beneficiaries received essential food items, including rice, spaghetti, semovita, and other staples, to cushion the effects of economic hardship.
The event highlights the federal and state governments' shared commitment to uplifting the vulnerable and strengthening social protection measures.
It also underscores the importance of partnerships, with donors like Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative and anonymous supporters ensuring the sustainability of the scheme by supplying food items monthly.