Nigeria's First Lady to Visit Ondo, Distribute 1,800 Food Relief Packages to Vulnerable Residents through RHI

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, will tomorrow host the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON, OON, at the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Social Investment Programme in Akure.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu is expected to be represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima.

The programme, under the Food Outreach Scheme, will see approximately 1,800 bags of rice and other food items distributed to vulnerable groups across Ondo State, including widows, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and the poorest of the poor.

Addressing newsmen in Akure, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Seun Osamaye, stated that the event would take place at the International Event Centre (The Dome), Alagbaka, beginning at 10 a.m.

She explained that Hajia Shettima, also the National Vice Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative, would represent the First Lady of Nigeria at the event, while the governor and his wife, Mrs Esther Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, who serves as the RHI State Coordinator, would receive the delegation.

“The Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, will be receiving the wife of the Vice President tomorrow, while the First Lady of Ondo State, Mrs Esther Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, will assist in hosting the delegation,” Osamaye said.

She emphasised that the beneficiaries for Tuesday’s programme are strictly vulnerable persons, noting that the intervention aims to cushion the effects of the current economic realities.

“This programme is targeted at helping vulnerable groups such as widows, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens. The prevailing economic realities have placed enormous pressure on many households, and this intervention will directly improve the living conditions of our most vulnerable citizens,” she stated.

According to the commissioner, the food items would be distributed through recognised associations of persons with disabilities, widows’ groups, elderly citizens’ organisations, registered non-governmental organisations, and local government councils to ensure the relief materials reach genuine beneficiaries.

“About 1,800 bags of rice and other food items are to be distributed. We have identified structured associations and community groups across the state to ensure the items reach the intended beneficiaries. Local government chairmen have also been instructed to identify vulnerable persons at the grassroots,” she added.

Dr Osamaye revealed that some beneficiaries who are physically unable to attend the event would receive their allocations through designated representatives.

She also announced that a second empowerment programme would be held on Wednesday, July 29, under the Project 774 Initiative of the APC National Women Leader, Dr Mary Alile.

The commissioner explained that the programme, titled “Sensitisation and Empowerment of Women on Gender Equality and Adequate Representation in Governance,” would empower about 1,000 women entrepreneurs from the 18 local government areas of the state with financial support and capacity-building opportunities.

“The beneficiaries for Wednesday are different from those of Tuesday. The governor is expected to empower about 1,000 women across the 18 local government areas, especially entrepreneurs, who will receive financial support to bolster their businesses,” she said.

The Commissioner urged the media to give both programmes extensive publicity, describing the visits as significant to Ondo State’s social investment and women empowerment efforts.

She further noted that the initiatives align with Governor Aiyedatiwa’s OUR EASE Agenda, particularly in promoting social inclusion and expanding opportunities for women and other vulnerable groups in the state.