Adeleke Pledges Support As Osun Benefits From Remi Tinubu’s Food Programme

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called on governments at all levels to adopt food assistance programmes to cushion the effects of economic hardship on vulnerable citizens.

Adeleke made the call on Thursday in Osogbo during the distribution of food items to vulnerable groups in the state under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Social Investment Programme of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

Tinubu was represented at the event by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima.

Speaking through the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, the governor described the initiative as a timely humanitarian intervention capable of addressing food insecurity and easing the burden on disadvantaged households.

“Food intervention is a humanitarian action which helps to address the needs of the less privileged,” Adeleke said.

He urged governments at all levels to emulate the initiative by establishing food banks and other support systems to provide relief for vulnerable citizens, particularly amid prevailing economic challenges.

The governor also pledged his administration’s support for the sustainability of the programme, stressing that the poor and vulnerable required deliberate government interventions to cope with the rising cost of living.

“Our people need our support to meet challenges of daily survival. Amidst the ongoing national reforms, the weak and the poor deserve state support,” he said.

Adeleke said his administration had introduced several people-oriented programmes, including cooperative financing for small businesses, financial inclusion for women entrepreneurs and expanded agricultural mechanisation to boost food production and improve food security.

He added that the welfare of youths, women and workers remained a major priority of his government, describing the First Lady’s initiative as a welcome addition to efforts to reduce poverty and improve the well-being of Nigerians.

The governor commended Tinubu for extending support to vulnerable citizens, expressing confidence that the intervention would provide relief for beneficiaries facing food-related challenges.

In her remarks, the First Lady, represented by Shettima, said the Renewed Hope Initiative was designed to improve the welfare of vulnerable Nigerians through financial empowerment, social support and other humanitarian interventions.

She explained that the programme, officially launched in 2024, targeted women, youths, elderly citizens, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

With the latest intervention, Osun has become the 31st state to benefit from the programme.

The wife of the Osun State Governor, Titilola Adeleke, also welcomed the initiative, noting that it would extend social support to more vulnerable families while complementing efforts to improve food security and access to healthcare.

The event attracted former and serving wives of governors from across the Southwest, Salamatu Gbajabiamila, wife of the President’s Chief of Staff, government officials and other dignitaries.