Nigeria requires holistic programme of economic development to overcome poverty – Otti

…as Tinubu commences good distribution to vulnerable groups in Abia

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has observed that the challenge of poverty and its manifestations in Nigeria require a holistic programme of economic development.

He stressed the need for the development of a comprehensive tracking system to monitor progress as the country battles poverty.

Governor Otti made this observation on Friday in Umuahia at the commencement of the distribution of food items to vulnerable groups in Abia State as part of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Social Investment Food Outreach Programme of Oluremi Tinubu, wife of Nigeria’s President.

According to Governor Otti, the challenge of poverty and its manifestations in terms of hunger, homelessness, and hopelessness require a holistic programme of economic development that prioritises job creation for different demographics, especially women and children.

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“My position is that, whatever we do as leaders, we have a responsibility to keep our focus on finding a realistic path to overcoming the myriad of challenges facing the country, with economic destitution as one of its manifestations.

“It therefore entails that a comprehensive tracking system should be developed and managed locally to enable us to monitor and assess our progress as we battle poverty together in the country, “he maintained.

The governor, however, informed the August visitor that in Abia, his Government is mindful of the challenges facing many individuals and families, hence, the creation of the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection on assumption of office, as governor, so as to tackle such challenges.

Governor Otti commended Oluremi Tinubu for appreciating the pains many individuals and families are passing through in the face of economic challenges and providing succour to them.

“Being the wife of the President has not stopped our dear First Lady from being mindful of the grassroots population on whose votes everyone holding a political position in the country draws their powers.

“Today’s event is proof that the poor and vulnerable in our country have a reliable friend in the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

“We are glad to receive you and appreciate your generous sentiments to our great State in matters connected to the welfare of women and young people, the less privileged and those hit by the shipwrecks of life”, Governor Otti stated.

Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, while handing over the food items for distribution, said that the aim of the programme was to further complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Tinubu, in making life better for the people.

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Tinubu, who was represented by Nana Shettima, the wife of the Vice President, said that the food outreach scheme began on March 8, 2024 and has so far been done in 11 states and the federal capital territory, adding that, the foods distributed was made possible by two donors; Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative and an anonymous donor.

While advising the beneficiaries against selling the food items donated to the vulnerable, she listed various programmes carried out by the Renewed Hope Initiative, to include environment, education, socio-economic and others, maintaining that under the socio-economic pillar that the initiative would be giving a grant of ₦200,000 to 250 persons with disabilities, to recapitalise their existing small businesses in each of the 36 States and the FCT.

“Since the inception in 2023, the Renewed Hope Initiative has made significant progress in our efforts to support our people, particularly women and youths, towards building a better life for their families”, Tinubu stated.

Priscilla Otti, the wife of the Governor of Abia State and coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative in the State, while appreciating the First Lady of Nigeria for her passion in assisting the less privileged and vulnerable people, announced that as a partner in the project, Abia State Government has provided 3,000 bags of 10 kg rice to add to the ones already donated by Tinubu.

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