NIGERIA, YENAGOA – The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) has extended its Food Outreach Scheme to Bayelsa State, providing food items to vulnerable groups, low-income earners, and persons with disabilities.
The event took place on Tuesday, at the Government House in Yenagoa. It was hosted by the Wife of the Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. (Mrs.) Gloria Diri, who received the delegation on behalf of the state.
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, was represented by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, who officially handed over the food items to beneficiaries.
Mrs. Shettima said the Renewed Hope Initiative was designed to “support families and reduce the burden of hunger among vulnerable Nigerians.” She noted that the food outreach aims to complement government efforts toward social and economic inclusion.
Stacks of rice, garri, vegetable oil, noodles, and other food essentials filled the hall as hundreds of women and persons with disabilities received their portions.
Speaking at the event, Dr. (Mrs.) Diri expressed her appreciation to the First Lady for her continuous support to Bayelsa families. She said, “Seeing the smile and joy on the faces of the women who received their portion of the food items was satisfying.”
She added that the initiative has “fostered social and economic growth in Bayelsa State,” especially among low-income earners and widows.
The wife of the governor, through her official Facebook page, thanked Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her leadership and generosity, stating, “Bayelsa is grateful.”
However, the outreach sparked wider discussions among observers who described the gesture as “food empowerment,” noting that while it meets immediate needs, long-term empowerment requires skill development and enterprise support.
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Analysts emphasized that social investment should go beyond handouts and focus on sustainable opportunities that build independence and reduce poverty.
They urged the Renewed Hope Initiative to expand future interventions into vocational and entrepreneurial support that would help beneficiaries become self-reliant.
The Food Outreach Scheme is one of several RHI programmes being implemented across states to assist women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities under Nigeria’s social investment drive.