FG, NNPCL, others raise N65bn for community food bank

Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, on Thursday, mobilised Federal Government institutions, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to raise about N65 billion for the National Community Food Bank Programme.

The fund, according to Tinubu, is targeting initially, 500,000 households across the nation in the first year.

The Board of Trustees that will manage the fund has the First Lady as Chairman, while Ayodeji Sotinrin, Managing Director/CEO of Bank of Agriculture, will serve as Secretary.

Other members include Mohammed Ali Pate, Mimister of Health and Social Welfare; Mansur Mokhtar, the Executive Director of National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, NPHCDA and Wahab Alawiye–King.

First Lady also revealed that the programme would go a long way in hunger‑fighting drive by the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking at the launch of the programme at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the First Lady said the Community Food Bank Programme was conceived as a sustainable response to bringing healthy and nutritious food within the reach of vulnerable children under six years, strengthening community‑based nutrition systems, and restore hope where it is most needed.

“This initiative is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu CFR to advance food security and safeguard the well‑being of every Nigerian child”, she said.

BusinessDay gathered that other supporting institutions include the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and the Bank of Industry

Tinubu noted that the food bank, like what is obtainable globally, had “proven to be effective mechanisms for ensuring that nutritious food reaches those who need it most through strategic partnerships with farmers, food producers, corporate organisations, civil society groups, and community institutions. Food banks create a bridge between abundance and need.”

The First Lady donated N500 million to the fund, while N10 billion was donated by Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited over five years.

Emeka Offor Foundation pledged N500m, while the Federal Government pledged N17 billion through a special intervention in the Social Action Fund, and a matching N17 billion from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).

Friends of the First Lady, also made an initial $500,000 pledge. (about N692.5 million at the current exchange rate).

She expressed her delights to be part of the inauguration of the Board of Trustees and Fundraising Ceremony for the Community Food Bank Trust Fund.

” I am inspired by the demonstration of generosity and support shown today towards strengthening food support systems for vulnerable households across our country.

“Our goal is to build a strong and effective food bank system in Nigeria that is supported through a well‑structured trust fund, governed transparently, and capable of reaching communities and households across the country”, she said.