First Lady's Food Bank Program Raises Over N66 Billion

The First Lady's food bank program was inaugurated at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, where it received pledges totaling over N66 billion. Professor Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, announced the contributions during his keynote address.

The Aliko Dangote Foundation pledged N20 billion in kind over five years, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) committed N10 billion during the same period. Other contributions included N500 million from the Emeka Offor Foundation and N500,000 from an anonymous donor.

President Bola Tinubu approved a special intervention fund of N17 billion to support the program, which aims to establish community-based food banks in every local government area. The initiative is part of Tinubu's Renew Hope Agenda, focusing on addressing malnutrition, a significant public health challenge in Nigeria.

The program will leverage local food sources and support primary health care centers through partnerships.