Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, has commended First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for launching the National Community Food Bank for the South-South region in Calabar, Cross River State.
Edu described the initiative as a significant intervention for vulnerable Nigerians, particularly pregnant and breastfeeding women, malnourished children and other people in need of food assistance.
Speaking to journalists after the launch in Calabar, the former minister said the facility would provide nutritional support while creating a market for farmers and local food producers.
“I am so grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his beautiful wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who came today to launch the National Community Food Bank,” Edu said.
She described the initiative as one of the interventions capable of reaching Nigerians who need assistance the most.
“Lactating mothers, pregnant women, malnourished children and other vulnerable persons can walk into the facility and get food whenever they need it,” she added.
Edu said the initiative could also contribute to the local economy by patronising farmers and producers in Cross River and other parts of the South-South region.
“Beyond providing fresh food, the initiative also patronises local producers, meaning that the economy of Cross River State and indeed the entire South-South region will receive a significant boost,” she said.
She also commended Cross River Governor Bassey Otu and his wife, Eyoanwan, for their support during the First Lady’s visit to the state.
Edu further praised the Federal Government, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and Oluremi Tinubu over the commissioning of an Information and Communication Technology centre at the University of Cross River State.
According to her, the facility would equip young Nigerians, particularly women and youths, with digital skills needed to compete in a technology-driven economy.
“It is a wonderful ICT centre for young people, especially women, to encourage them and bring them up to speed with what the world is dealing with right now, which is Artificial Intelligence,” Edu said.
She expressed optimism that the centre would give beneficiaries opportunities to develop skills that could open doors for them both within Nigeria and internationally.
The food bank initiative comes as households across Nigeria continue to grapple with food affordability and the wider impact of economic pressures.
For the programme to deliver its intended impact, sustained food supplies, effective distribution and transparent access will be critical, particularly for the vulnerable groups identified by the initiative.
Edu was named Director of Women Mobilisation in the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council in August.
