The humanitarian touch of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, resonated deeply in Abia State as she flagged off the distribution of food items under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Social Investment Food Outreach Programme — a targeted effort to bring relief to the state’s most vulnerable.
Represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, Mrs. Tinubu emphasized that the programme aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to cushion the impact of current economic challenges on families. She noted that similar interventions have been carried out across 11 states and the FCT, with the support of donors including the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative and an anonymous contributor.
In a warm show of solidarity, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, welcomed the initiative and expressed gratitude to the First Lady for her grassroots-oriented compassion. “Despite her national responsibilities, the First Lady has remained deeply connected to the realities of the ordinary Nigerian,” he noted. “Her presence here—through this gesture—is a strong reminder that leadership must always remain people-focused.”
Governor Otti also used the occasion to highlight Abia State’s own proactive steps in fighting poverty, including the creation of the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection. He stressed the need for a coordinated and measurable national effort to track progress in poverty reduction.
Lady Priscilla Otti, the Wife of the Abia State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, hailed the First Lady’s tireless commitment to the welfare of women, youth, and the underserved. She announced that the state government had supplemented the donation with an additional 3,000 bags of 10kg rice to reach even more families.
“The Renewed Hope Initiative has already made a significant impact across health, education, and economic empowerment in Abia. This partnership amplifies our collective goal—to see no child go to bed hungry and no family left behind,” Lady Otti said, assuring that the distribution will continue in the coming weeks and will be carried out with fairness and transparency.
The event, held at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, drew a wide array of dignitaries, including the wives of South East governors, the wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the wife of the Minister of Works. On hand to receive the First Lady’s representative at the Sam Mbakwe Airport were Lady Otti and other women leaders across the region.
Some of the beneficiaries, including Orasi Eze and Uzoma Ezebiiro, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Mrs. Tinubu and Lady Otti, promising to use the food items to support their families. They described the intervention as timely and life-saving.
With this effort, the Renewed Hope Initiative continues to demonstrate that governance rooted in compassion can restore dignity and hope to millions.
