…Green signal for advocacy, awareness campaign
Nigeria's First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday flagged off the national advocacy and awareness campaign for the National Community Food Bank Programme, designed to address issues of malnutrition among infants across the country.
The event was part of the first National Traditional and Religious Leaders Health Summit held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to him, “The program will operate through a nationwide network of primary health centers to identify and register eligible families with children below 6 years of age.
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“Caregivers will be counseled and given food vouchers which they can redeem for locally grown nutritious foods at food banks to be set up near the health centres.”
The First Lady said her office will work with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to address child malnutrition across the country.
This comes as he announced that his office will also collaborate with the Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture and other partners to launch the National Community Food Bank Program in April, 2026.
“This program 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 end child malnutrition,” he said.
He also stressed that the support and cooperation of traditional and religious leaders is vital to the success of the program which will ultimately ensure a healthy future generation of Nigerians.
“This initiative will be funded through a trust fund by interested partners in the private sector and well-meaning Nigerians and to ensure accountability, the trust fund will be overseen by credible Nigerians,” he said.
The event attracted traditional rulers and religious leaders from across the country, as well as saw the graduation of “healthcare volunteers” from 774 local governments who are expected to drive health care policies at the grassroots level.
“As we roll out the program across the country, we will need the great support of you, our respected traditional and religious leaders, to raise awareness and sensitize households to ensure that no eligible family is left behind.
“I wish you every success as you embark on this journey of learning and building your skills and contributing to our beloved nation,” she said.
Earlier, Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare Mohammad Patey. In her remarks, she stressed the importance of human resources for the growth and development of any nation, which led to the decision of the Office of the First Lady to partner with the Ministry on the health and welfare of infants in particular and children in general.
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“Without the people of Nigeria, no infrastructure, no oil, no gold, no diamonds will really matter,” he said.
Pate thanked President Bola Tinubu for approving the holding of the first Traditional and Religious Summit, a clear indication of the President's confidence in the vital role of these groups in the health and well-being of Nigerians.
He said, “Before the Nigerian state, there is a Nigerian nation, before a Nigerian nation, there is the Nigerian people. And that is why Mr. President gives priority to the health sector in all ramifications.”
He lauded the First Lady for her various efforts and contributions to the health sector in the nation, especially children's and women's health.
