Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has officially flagged off the National Advocacy and Awareness Campaign for the National Community Food Bank Programme, a bold initiative aimed at tackling child malnutrition across the country.
The launch coincided with the 1st National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit in Abuja, bringing together key stakeholders, faith leaders, and community representatives.
Addressing attendees, Senator Tinubu emphasized the urgent need for a united approach to ensure the health and well-being of Nigerian children. “Together, we will build healthier and stronger generations of Nigerian children,” she declared, highlighting that the programme will leverage partnerships with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the Bank of Industry, the Bank of Agriculture, and other stakeholders to expand access to safe and nutritious food for vulnerable children.
The First Lady explained that the programme will operate through Primary Health Centres nationwide, identifying and registering families with children under six. Caregivers will receive counselling and food vouchers redeemable for nutritious, locally grown foods at community food banks set up close to the health centres. A dedicated Trust Fund, supported by private sector partners and well-meaning Nigerians, will finance the initiative, with credible oversight to ensure transparency and accountability.
Senator Tinubu stressed that the support of traditional and religious leaders is critical to the programme’s success. She urged them to mobilize their communities, raise awareness, and ensure that no eligible family is left out as the programme rolls out across Nigeria.
The First Lady also commended the National Health Fellows—volunteers supporting health services—encouraging them to see their participation as a journey of learning, service, and contribution to national development.
In his remarks, the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, noted that human capital remains Nigeria’s greatest resource. He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for convening the summit, describing it as a testament to the administration’s commitment to leveraging traditional and religious leaders in advancing public health initiatives.
The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, hailed the summit as a practical step toward improving national health outcomes, stressing the importance of follow-up actions and accountability mechanisms.
Development partners, including the World Health Organization and the World Bank, also highlighted the central role of traditional and religious leaders in building trust, promoting health awareness, and achieving universal health coverage.
The First Lady’s campaign will travel to all six geopolitical zones, beginning with the North-East in Borno State, to engage communities, create awareness, and ensure broad participation in the National Community Food Bank Programme.
Through this initiative, the Office of the First Lady and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare aim to ensure that every Nigerian child has access to proper nutrition, marking a major step toward ending child malnutrition nationwide.
