SOLUDO, WIFE RECEIVE OLUREMI TINUBU IN ANAMBRA FOR FOOD BANK LAUNCH, ICT CENTRE COMMISSIONING
Nigeria's First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has arrived in Anambra State, where she was received by Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his wife, Nonye Soludo. Her visit includes the South East launch of the National Community Food Bank Programme and the commissioning of an ICT Centre at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko.
ANAMBRA — Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has arrived in Anambra State for an official visit focused on food security, nutrition, digital education and economic empowerment across the South East.
Tinubu arrived on Thursday at the Chinua Achebe International Airport in Umueri, where she was received by Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his wife, Nonye Soludo, alongside senior government officials and other dignitaries.
The visit is centred on the launch of the National Community Food Bank Programme for the South East and the commissioning of an Information and Communication Technology Centre at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko.
The programme forms part of efforts to improve access to nutritious food among vulnerable women and children while expanding digital opportunities for young people.
The Anambra State Government said the visit would also strengthen cooperation between the federal and state governments in tackling food insecurity, poverty and youth unemployment.
FOOD BANK TARGETS VULNERABLE WOMEN AND CHILDREN
The National Community Food Bank Programme is designed to provide nutritional support to vulnerable groups, with particular attention to pregnant women, nursing mothers and young children facing malnutrition.
Screening, verification and enrolment of potential beneficiaries began ahead of Thursday's launch.
Three healthcare facilities have been designated as centres serving Anambra's three senatorial zones.
The Maternal and Child Health Centre in Amawbia will serve Anambra Central, while Aku Ezinifite Primary Health Centre in Aguata will serve Anambra South.
A Basic Primary Health Centre in Onitsha North will serve beneficiaries in Anambra North.
Health officials said children under six, pregnant women and lactating mothers are being assessed to determine their nutritional status and eligibility for the programme.
The initiative is expected to expand beyond Anambra as part of a wider national effort targeting communities across Nigeria.
The South East launch also marks the conclusion of the programme's zonal launches, with implementation expected to eventually extend across the country's 774 local government areas. citeturn0search1
PROGRAMME SEEKS TO ADDRESS MALNUTRITION
The initiative comes amid continuing concern about malnutrition and food insecurity among vulnerable households.
Health officials involved in the programme say beneficiaries identified with moderate or severe acute malnutrition will receive targeted nutritional support.
Beyond distributing food, the programme is intended to connect vulnerable families with healthcare services and nutrition education.
Previous zonal launches have focused particularly on pregnant women, lactating mothers and children under six, with health officials stressing the importance of adequate nutrition during the earliest years of a child's development. citeturn0search9
The Anambra State Government has said the intervention will also support widows, elderly people, persons living with disabilities and other vulnerable households.
FIRST LADY TO COMMISSION ICT CENTRE
Tinubu's Anambra itinerary also includes the commissioning of a new ICT Centre at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko.
The facility is designed to provide students with training in areas including software development, data analysis, digital marketing and other skills increasingly required in the global technology economy.
Anambra Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation Law Mefor said the centre was intended to help close the digital skills gap and improve employment opportunities for young people in Anambra and across the South East.
The state government said the project complements its existing investment in technology and innovation.
The First Lady is also expected to participate in an economic empowerment programme for thousands of beneficiaries across Anambra's 21 local government areas.
The programme is expected to provide grants, vocational tools and equipment to beneficiaries working in agriculture, agro processing, beauty services and other small businesses. citeturn0search11
FEDERAL AND ANAMBRA GOVERNMENTS DEEPEN COOPERATION
The Anambra government has described Tinubu's visit as an opportunity to strengthen collaboration with the federal government in areas including food security, digital skills and economic empowerment.
For the food programme, officials say the immediate priority is identifying vulnerable beneficiaries and ensuring nutritional assistance reaches those who need it.
Thursday's programme in Anambra follows similar National Community Food Bank launches in other parts of Nigeria.
With the South East rollout, authorities say attention will increasingly shift from launching the programme to implementing it at community level.
Tinubu's visit is expected to continue with the commissioning of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko ICT Centre and other engagements scheduled by the state government.
