The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has flagged off the National Advocacy and Awareness Campaign for the National Community Food Bank Programme, which aims to address malnutrition among infants nationwide.
This was contained in a press statement issued and signed by Busola Kukoyi, Senior Special Adviser, Media, to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Flagging off the campaign during the 1st National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit in Abuja, Tinubu said, “This year, the Office of the First Lady of Nigeria will be working with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to address Child Malnutrition across the nation. We are collaborating with the Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture, and other partners to launch the National Community Food Bank program in April, 2026. This programme is designed to strengthen community nutrition support, improve access to safe and nutritious food for vulnerable children, and contribute meaningfully to the national response to ending child malnutrition”.
Tinubu stressed that the support and cooperation of the Traditional and Religious Leaders are crucial for the success of the programme, which would ultimately ensure a healthier future generation of Nigerians.
“ The programme will operate through the nationwide network of Primary Health Centers to identify and register eligible families with children under 6 years old. Caregivers will receive counselling and be given food vouchers that they can redeem for nutritious, locally grown foods at food banks that will be established close to the health centers. This initiative will be funded through a Trust Fund by willing private sector partners and well-meaning Nigerians, and to ensure accountability, the Trust Fund will be overseen by credible Nigerians. We will be needing a lot of support from you, our revered traditional and religious leaders, to raise awareness and sensitize households to ensure no eligible family is left behind as we roll out the program nationwide”, she added.
Earlier in his remarks, the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare. Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate emphasised the importance of human resources to the growth and development of any nation, which necessitated the decision of the office of the First Lady to partner with the Ministry on the Health and well-being of infants in particular and children in general. “Without the people of Nigeria, no infrastructure, no oil, no gold, no diamond will actually matter”, he added.
Prof. Pate thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the convening of the 1st ever Traditional and Religious Summit which is a clear indication of the President belief in the pivotal role of these group to the health and well-being of Nigerians.
The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi noted with delight that with the gathering of Traditional and Religious Leaders, the Nation is getting more practical in getting it right on health issues.
He said following the Flag-off and outcomes of the summit, there would be a greater need for follow-up and peer reviews.
