Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State commended President Bola Tinubu for his love for the people of Edo and assured him of continued support ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Okpebholo stated this in his goodwill message during a food outreach campaign by the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), through its Social Investment Programme.
At the event, held at the New Festival Hall of the Government House, Benin City, the governor said the Edo electorate will give the President 100 per cent of the votes in 2027 to remember the vulnerable in the state.
The RHI food outreach began on March 8, 2024 and so far about seven states including Edo have benefited from the initiative. The other states include Kano, Benue, Nasarawa, Ekiti, Cross River and Gombe, while states like Kwara, Kogi and Abia are next.
Governor Okpebholo commended the First Lady of Nigeria and President of RHI, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her love and maternal role in ensuring that the people of Nigeria enjoy the dividends of democracy.
He noted that the First Lady's initiative would not have been successful without the support of President Tinubu, assuring him that the people of Edo will support him for a second term if he decides to run.
“All the people of Edo State are very grateful for this kind gesture of food distribution and donations of different food items to the vulnerable in Edo State.
“We are happy in Edo State and people are starting to see and enjoy a new dawn. Look at the food everywhere in this room, all thanks to the President and his wife for this great initiative that Edo people are benefiting from today.
“We assure you, Mr. President, of our 100 percent votes in the state in the 2027 presidential election and, if possible, we will give you more than 100 percent,” he declared.
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, recalled that the food distribution campaign began in March 2024.
Represented by the Vice President's wife, Hajia Nana Shettima, the First Lady said the initiative has made significant progress in supporting women and youth to improve their lives.
He advised the beneficiaries not to sell the food but to make good use of it for the benefit of their families.
“This food distribution campaign started last year in March 2024 in Abuja to provide food to vulnerable households to support their families. We have been able to distribute food to seven states in Nigeria.
“The RHI has made significant progress in its efforts to help our people, particularly women and youth, achieve a better life. Under this initiative, this year there will be more activities that will cover Education, Health, Economic Empowerment, Social Investments and Agriculture. “This program aims to further complement the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu’s administration,” he said.
The Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady of the state, Mrs. Edesili Anani Okpebholo, thanked the First Lady for the initiative, which in less than two years, has touched the lives of millions of Nigerians, ensuring that the vulnerable in the State They will get the food items.
He also thanked Governor Okpebholo for his development strides in less than three months in office. He noted that his support of RHI programs in the state has been highly successful. Items distributed included noodles, semovita and pasta, among others.
Other guests at the food outreach day were the Secretary of the Edo State Government, Musa Ikhilor; the deputy chief of staff, Pius Alile; wife of a former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mrs Anna Shaibu; market women leaders; commissioned in service; women political leaders across the state; heads of state security agencies, permanent secretaries, among others.
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