First Lady’s food bank programme rakes in over N65bn support

First Lady's food bank programme received over N65 billion in pledges from corporate organisations and federal and state governments during the inauguration of the Community Food Bank Trust Fund's Board of Trustees. The event marked the official launch of the initiative, which aims to combat food insecurity and malnutrition across Nigeria. Among those present were top government officials, business leaders, and representatives from several state governments who committed financial and logistical support. The First Lady, who spearheads the programme, described it as a collective responsibility to ensure no Nigerian goes to bed hungry. "This is not a government project alone—it belongs to every citizen who believes in a nation where no child starves," she said. The Trust Fund will oversee the distribution of food items and nutritional support to vulnerable populations, including orphans, elderly citizens, and internally displaced persons. Corporate contributors include major banking, telecommunications, and energy firms, with some pledging sustained support over a three-year period. The Board of Trustees, now formally inaugurated, will manage fund disbursement and coordinate with local agencies for nationwide reach. Implementation is expected to begin in six pilot states before scaling to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Monitoring mechanisms will be put in place to ensure transparency and accountability in how resources are used.