The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has highlighted the impact of the Renewed Hope Initiative and other Federal Government interventions in agriculture, education, healthcare, nutrition and economic empowerment.
She spoke during an interface with traditional rulers in Cross River State at the Executive Chamber, Governor's Office, Calabar, shortly after the launch of the National Community Food Bank Programme (South-South) and the commissioning of some projects in the State.
She called for sustained collaboration to ensure Government programmes and policies positively impact ordinary Nigerians.
Mrs Tinubu said the Renewed Hope Initiative focuses on five major areas: education, social investment and development, agriculture, health, and economic empowerment.
"We inherited challenges, but from the beginning, we made it clear that we were not interested in blaming anyone. These are challenges that have developed over time as a country, and we must collectively work to address them," she said.
She said agricultural support programmes implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture had provided more than ₦68.5 million to support farmers and empower women, in addition to distributing agricultural tools to beneficiaries.
The First Lady also disclosed that the initiative's scholarship scheme provides indigent university students with a ₦1 million annual scholarship and a laptop, noting that some beneficiaries had already graduated while others were in their final year.
On healthcare, she highlighted her involvement in the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign aimed at protecting young girls against cervical cancer, and stressed the importance of birth registration, saying proper registration gives children recognised identities and improves their access to basic rights and services.
Tinubu acknowledged the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, particularly following the removal of the fuel subsidy, but said the Federal Government had introduced measures to cushion the effects of the reforms, citing increased allowances for National Youth Service Corps members and attention to pensioners' welfare.
Likening Nigeria to a tree that must be collectively nurtured and protected by its citizens, she said, "If Nigeria were a tree, we would all be responsible for nurturing and protecting that tree and its branches. If the tree is not strong and healthy, all of us will ultimately suffer the consequences."
She assured that beneficiaries of her initiatives were selected based on need rather than personal connections. "Our commitment is to ensure that these opportunities reach people who genuinely need them, regardless of where they come from or who they know," she said.
The First Lady called for continued cooperation among government, traditional institutions, the private sector and development partners, stressing that collective action remained essential to achieving meaningful national development.
"There will always be people who complain or disagree with what the government is doing. But what is important is that we remain focused, continue working, and ensure that our programmes and policies ultimately serve the people," she added.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council and Paramount Ruler of Abi Local Government, His Royal Majestic Solomon Edward called for stronger collaboration between traditional institutions and governments at all levels.
He described traditional rulers as important partners in development, citing their roles in resolving disputes, mobilising communities, promoting peace and supporting grassroots development.
"Through our traditional councils and communities, we remain strategically positioned to support government initiatives, promote peace and security, encourage grassroots development, and mobilise our people towards meaningful progress," he said.
He also called for greater institutional recognition, capacity building and structured engagement with traditional rulers, particularly in peacebuilding, youth empowerment, cultural preservation and community development, while highlighting the state's potential in agriculture, tourism and cultural heritage and urging government to remain sensitive to the economic realities confronting ordinary Nigerians.
"The people and their welfare must remain at the centre of every government policy and reform," he said.
The traditional rulers reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Federal and State Governments in promoting peace, stability and development across Cross River State.
Daniel Bebia
