By Seyi Odewale
Governors of the seven North-West states on Monday converged on Hadejia, Jigawa State, to support the Federal Government’s renewed drive against hunger and child malnutrition as First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu launched the National Community Food Bank Programme.
The initiative, unveiled under the Renewed Hope Initiative, is designed to deliver nutritious food to vulnerable Nigerians through Primary Healthcare Centres, with pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under the age of six identified as the primary beneficiaries.
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Yusuf, joined his counterparts from Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara at the event, which also attracted ministers, traditional rulers and other senior government officials.
Describing the programme as a strategic intervention, Governor Yusuf said it complements ongoing efforts by state governments to tackle food insecurity and improve nutrition among vulnerable populations.
“This initiative is timely and complements the programmes already being implemented by state governments to address food insecurity and malnutrition,” the governor said.
He reaffirmed the Kano State Government’s commitment to implementing policies and programmes that promote food security, strengthen healthcare delivery and improve the welfare of residents, particularly women and children.
“We will continue to support programmes that protect the most vulnerable and ensure that no child is denied access to adequate nutrition,” Yusuf added.
In a statement on Tuesday by the Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the presence of all seven North-West governors underscored a shared commitment to partnering with the Federal Government in strengthening food security and improving the wellbeing of vulnerable Nigerians.
The National Community Food Bank Programme is expected to serve as a community-based nutrition support system by distributing nutritious food through Primary Healthcare Centres nationwide, targeting households most affected by economic hardship while helping to reduce child malnutrition and hunger.
