Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the National Community Food Bank Programme for the South-East geopolitical zone and commissioned a digital skills centre at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The initiatives formed part of the First Lady’s official visit to Anambra State, where she was received by Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his wife, Mrs Nonye Soludo, alongside government officials and other stakeholders.
The South-East Community Food Bank, unveiled at the Old Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, is part of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), the Nigerian Government’s social intervention programme.
The food bank is targeted at vulnerable and food-insecure households, particularly widows, elderly persons, persons with disabilities, nursing and lactating mothers, and young children.
Beneficiaries are expected to receive essential food supplies and nutrition support as part of efforts to cushion the impact of economic hardship and improve household food security.
Speaking at the launch, Oluremi said the initiative was aimed at bringing social intervention programmes closer to communities while strengthening efforts to reduce hunger and improve human development outcomes.
The launch emphasised collaboration between the Nigerian Government and the Anambra State Government in addressing poverty, food insecurity and other socio-economic challenges, while promoting sustainable agriculture and strengthening social safety nets.
At the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Oluremi commissioned a Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund)-sponsored ICT Experience Centre, describing the facility as an investment in the digital future of Nigerian youths.
The centre, established through collaboration between the Renewed Hope Initiative and TETFund, is expected to provide students with access to modern digital resources and practical skills required to compete in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.
The facility is designed to support training in areas such as software development, data analysis and remote-work skills, while providing opportunities for entrepreneurship, innovation, employment, networking and access to educational resources.
The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr Chioma Awuzie, described the project as a landmark intervention for the institution and commended the First Lady and TETFund for the initiative.
Awuzie, however, drew attention to some of the challenges confronting the institution, particularly erosion threatening parts of the polytechnic.
She appealed to the relevant authorities and stakeholders for urgent intervention, noting that the institution’s location had left some of its infrastructure vulnerable to erosion.
The First Lady’s visit also featured the rollout of empowerment interventions, including grants, vocational equipment and agricultural inputs for beneficiaries across Anambra State’s 21 local government areas.
The interventions are expected to complement existing state-level humanitarian and economic empowerment programmes while supporting vulnerable households, small-scale economic activities and youth development.
They also highlight continued cooperation between federal and state authorities in tackling food insecurity, strengthening social protection systems and preparing young Nigerians for participation in the digital economy.
The events were attended by government officials and other dignitaries, including the wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti.
