Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State will on Tuesday host the wife of the Vice-President, Hajia Nana Shettima, who will represent the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Social Investment Programme scheduled to hold in Akure.
The programme, under the Food Outreach Scheme, is expected to provide about 1,800 bags of rice and other food items to vulnerable residents across the state, including widows, persons with disabilities, senior citizens and other indigent persons.
Briefing journalists in Akure on Monday, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Seun Osamaye, said the event would hold at the International Event Centre (The Dome), Alagbaka, from 10 a.m.
According to her, Hajia Shettima, who is also the National Vice-Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative, would represent the First Lady at the programme, while Governor Aiyedatiwa and his wife, Mrs Esther Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, the state coordinator of the initiative, would receive the delegation.
She said the intervention was aimed at cushioning the effects of the prevailing economic challenges on vulnerable groups in the state.
She explained that beneficiaries were carefully selected from recognised associations of persons with disabilities, widows’ groups, senior citizens’ organisations, registered non-governmental organisations and the 18 local government areas to ensure that the items reached deserving recipients.
Osamaye said: “The governor will receive the wife of the Vice-President, while the wife of the governor will assist in hosting the delegation.
“About 1,800 bags of rice and other food items will be distributed. We have identified structured associations and community groups across the state to ensure the relief materials get to the intended beneficiaries.
“Local government chairmen have also been directed to identify vulnerable persons at the grassroots.”
The commissioner added that beneficiaries who were unable to attend the event would receive their allocations through designated representatives.
Osamaye also announced that another empowerment programme would hold on Wednesday under the Project 774 Initiative of the APC National Women Leader, Dr Mary Alile.
She said the programme, titled Sensitisation and Empowerment of Women on Gender Equality and Adequate Representation in Governance, would empower about 1,000 women entrepreneurs from the state’s 18 local government areas through financial support and capacity-building.
“The beneficiaries for Wednesday are different from those for Tuesday. About 1,000 women entrepreneurs across the state will receive financial support to strengthen their businesses,” she said.
She urged the media to give the programmes adequate publicity, noting that they would further support the state’s social investment drive and women empowerment initiatives.
Osamaye added that the programmes were in line with Governor Aiyedatiwa’s OUR EASE Agenda, particularly its focus on social inclusion and expanding opportunities for women and other vulnerable groups.
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