Tag: Renewed Hope

Nigeria’s fight against child malnutrition and out-of-school children took a major step forward with the official launch of the Renewed Hope Mo’Feed Project, Fundraising Gala and Humanitarian Award Night in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, represented by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, described the project as a “timely intervention” that aligns with the state’s food security roadmap.

“Food is dignity and hope. By targeting over 600,000 vulnerable Nigerians across all six geopolitical zones, this project sends a bold message: hunger will not define our people,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on School Feeding Programme, Dr. Yetunde Adeniji, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declared that the project was more than a feeding scheme, it was “an agenda to secure Nigeria’s future through nutrition, education and empowerment.”

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“Eight out of every ten children in rural Nigeria suffer one form of malnutrition or the other. Feeding is not just about giving food, it is about keeping children in school, reducing crime, and supporting farmers and women across communities,” Dr. Adeniji said.

She stressed that the school feeding programme, first introduced in the last administration and now revived under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, had already shown life-changing results in rural communities, where children rush to school for what is sometimes their only meal of the day.

Founder and President of Bella Amor Global Aid Foundation, Mirabel Etuk, whose foundation partnered with the Presidency to scale the initiative, framed the launch as a vision of “compassion in action.”

“The Mo’Feed Project was born from the conviction that a simple meal can restore dignity and transform futures. Feeding a child means opening the door to education and a brighter tomorrow,” she said.

The night also celebrated individuals and leaders driving humanitarian impact. Awardees included Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Nasarawa Governor Engr. Abdullahi Sule, Dr. Yetunde Adeniji, Dr. Chika Nwokedi, and Bluemath Realty CEO Akinwale Abidakun, among others.

Receiving his award, Abidakun called on Nigerians to support the project:

“This is not just about feeding, it is about empowerment. More Nigerians of means must rise to back initiatives like this, because the wellbeing of our children defines the future of our nation,” he said.

The Akwa Ibom Festac Forum, represented by

Mrs. Helene Usenekon commended Mirabel for her humanitarian efforts, describing her foundation’s launch as a “beautiful initiative” that reflects the values of love, care, and hospitality for which the Akwa Ibom people are known.

 Mrs. Usenekon, said the group is proud to support Mirabel, who hails from Akwa Ibom. She urged the founder not to relent in her commitment to helping the less privileged, assuring her that “every good seed will definitely germinate and the blessings will follow her.”

The Renewed Hope Mo’Feed Project, anchored on Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aims to bridge hunger gaps, improve school enrolment, support women and local farmers, and provide dignity for vulnerable families nationwide.

The federal government has urged the World Bank to back its Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, a grassroots-focused initiative designed to stimulate economic activities across the country and advance President Bola Tinubu’s vision of a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja during a meeting with the bank’s new Country Director, Mr. Matthew Verghis.

Bagudu explained that the programme, recently approved by the National Economic Council and coordinated by his ministry, is a transformative plan aimed at driving bottom-up growth and lifting millions out of poverty.

“The objectives, among others, are to promote sustainable and inclusive growth at the ward level, which will contribute to national development,” Bagudu said. “This will support the $1 trillion GDP target by 2030 and help lift all Nigerians out of poverty.”

He noted that the initiative will map economic opportunities in all 8,809 wards across the country and support economically active citizens to generate more value. “It is about creating sustainable and inclusive growth from the grassroots,” he added.

The minister stressed that Nigeria is drawing lessons from other countries while building a uniquely Nigerian model. “We have examined China’s experience of lifting 852 million people out of poverty, India’s rural transformation, and Kenya’s bottom-up strategy. Nigeria can incorporate these lessons, but with a model that reflects our constitutional federalism and ensures all three tiers of government take responsibility,” he explained.

Bagudu also linked the programme to Nigeria Agenda 2050, the country’s long-term strategic plan, which he described as “ambitious but achievable.”

He said, “It reflects our national consensus—enshrined in Chapter Two of our Constitution—that all tiers of government must work together to deliver economic, social, and environmental objectives. Our duty is to translate this vision into actionable five-year plans and annual budgets that are people-centred and results-driven.”

He expressed appreciation to the World Bank for its consistent partnership, particularly during the past 28 months of economic reforms. “The World Bank team has collaborated with us not just as partners but as members of the same team. We could not have achieved the results we have today without your support,” Bagudu said. “Together, we have taken bold steps that are beginning to restore macroeconomic stability and inspire confidence at home and abroad.”

The minister further stressed the need to sustain the pace of reforms. “Our reforms have demonstrated the value of staying the course in the right direction. With effective policies and difficult but necessary choices, we are beginning to see results. The task now is to build on these achievements and ensure that no willing Nigerian is left behind.”

Responding, Verghis commended Nigeria for taking bold decisions in its reform process, describing them as a “development breakpoint” that could reset the country’s economic trajectory.

“Nigeria’s recent decisions represent a critical moment. Such choices are not easy, but they create opportunities for a new path. The World Bank stands ready to continue supporting Nigeria in maintaining these reforms and increasing their impact,” he said.

He praised the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme as a promising initiative but stressed the importance of building on proven structures.

“The challenge is not just in designing new programmes but in building on what already works. Existing projects such as NG-CARES and the Nigeria for Women Project have established effective structures. We are eager to expand on these models, bring in global experience from India, China, and Kenya, and provide both technical and financial support to strengthen implementation.”

Verghis also emphasised the importance of aligning grassroots development with national priorities. “We understand the objectives are jobs, prosperity, and inclusion. For the poorest, immediate support is needed; for the youth, opportunities for productivity; for the nation, a pathway to sustained growth. These are challenges we want to work with you to address,” he said.

Bagudu concluded by reaffirming the ministry’s coordinating role in implementing national development initiatives.

“This Ministry is not in competition with any other. Our role is to coordinate, convene, and ensure that all levels of government work towards the same goal: inclusive prosperity for every Nigerian,” he stated.

Verghis’s visit, his first official engagement since assuming office, reaffirmed the strong partnership between Nigeria and the World Bank in advancing inclusive growth, poverty reduction, and sustainable development.

The David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), Uburu, Ebonyi State has announced that it has provided free treatment to 2,412 patients with eye conditions within seven months through its Free Eye Care Initiative and Eye Research Programme.

 The university, which also distributed 1,000 eyeglasses to patients at no cost, said the programme was in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, with the ultimate aim of reversing both medical and educational tourism.

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 Speaking at a press and media engagement held at the institution’s Ultramodern Eye Centre and Institute for Eye Health and Visual Sciences Research (IEHVSR), the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jesse Uneke, said the programme was part of DUFUHS’s mandate on research, training, and community development.

 According to him, the facility, supported by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), was established to address Nigeria’s rising burden of visual impairment and blindness, which currently affects an estimated 24 million people.

The Constituency Stakeholders Meeting initiated by Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa’s in 2015 to foster community engagement and transparency has held its 10th forum.

The initiative allows lawmakers to meet simultaneously across the 40 constituencies.

Deputy Majority Leader, Adedamola Kasunmu, hosted the meeting for Ikeja Constituency II at EKO FM Marquee, LTV 8 Premises in Agidingbi, with representation from Arewa, Ndigbo and Southsouth communities. 

Kasunmu described the annual meeting as a platform for accountability, engagement, and participatory governance.

This year’s theme: “Governance in Action: Gains of the Renewed Hope Agenda”, he said, was chosen to spotlight the impact of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s government in Lagos, and role of the House of Assembly.

He praised Tinubu’s economic reforms, progress in security, infrastructural renewal, and investment in education and healthcare, noting the Renewed Hope Agenda is yielding benefits. He highlighted the Student Loan Fund (NELFUND), enhanced funding for security, modernisation of agriculture, and infrastructural upgrades as milestones that have restored optimism.

He lauded Sanwo-Olu’s renewal projects, transport innovation, housing schemes, and technology-driven governance, stressing Lagos has become “a beacon of modern urbanism.” He hailed the legislative-executive synergy under Obasa, which has led to progressive laws promoting social welfare, environmental sustainability, education, and healthcare.

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Kasunmu noted that the Assembly passed over 467 resolutions and life-impacting laws, including establishment of LASUED, LASUST, and the incoming University of Medicine and Health Sciences to boost medical education.

Reassuring his constituents, he affirmed that the Assembly is committed to transparency, accountability, and service delivery:

Chief Oludele Solola, APC state treasurer, praised the Assembly’s leadership for the meeting, saying it provides opportunity for legislators to engage with constituents and identify areas of assistance.

There was an interactive session where constituents gave feedback and shared concerns, in line with the Assembly’s tradition of bringing government closer to the people.

Kasunmu appreciated leaders and members of Ikeja 2 for the opportunity to serve.

The deputy Majority leader celebrated GAC member, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, on his birthday, by leading the gathering in a song.

He lauded James Faleke on his performance as a leader and great representative of Ikeja at the National Assembly.