The Wife of the Delta State Governor and Founder of the You Matter Charity Foundation, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, has launched the third edition of the Delta State Food Bank Initiative, supporting 2,500 vulnerable women across the 25 local government areas of the state with food items and cash assistance.
The initiative, organised by the Office of the First Lady, was held at the Event Centre, Asaba, on Wednesday, as part of efforts to alleviate food insecurity and provide practical support to families facing economic hardship.
Each of the 25 local government areas had 100 beneficiaries, bringing the total number of women reached through the latest edition to 2,500.
A major highlight of the programme was a surprise cash donation of ₦50,000 to each beneficiary, amounting to ₦125 million in total.
The beneficiaries also received food items valued at more than ₦100 million, bringing the combined value of the cash and food support to over ₦225 million, based on the figures announced at the event.
Speaking at the programme, Deaconess Oborevwori reiterated her commitment to supporting vulnerable women and families, stressing that women often carry a significant responsibility for ensuring that food and other basic needs are available in their households.
She explained that the Food Bank Initiative was introduced out of her passion for improving the welfare of women and families, particularly those experiencing economic difficulties.
According to her, supporting women has a wider impact because of their central role in family welfare and development.
She said the initiative was designed to “put smiles on the faces” of women across Delta State while providing practical assistance to families struggling to meet their basic needs.
The First Lady stressed that development should not be measured only by the construction of roads and other physical infrastructure but should also include human capital development and programmes that directly improve people’s lives.
She called on individuals and organisations to extend compassion to less privileged members of society by offering whatever assistance they could afford.
Deaconess Oborevwori also urged the beneficiaries to use the assistance judiciously to meet essential needs in their respective households.
She further highlighted the intervention programmes of the You Matter Charity Foundation, including free medical outreaches conducted across the federal constituencies in Delta State for vulnerable children and families.
The First Lady said continued efforts were necessary to ensure that residents could benefit from government programmes and social intervention initiatives.
In her welcome address, the Wife of the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Ezinne Kathrine Onyeme, emphasised the importance of compassion and care for women and families.
She acknowledged the enormous responsibilities women carry in providing food and meeting the needs of their households, stressing that supporting women ultimately translates into supporting entire families.
Onyeme commended the Food Bank Initiative for reaching women in need and providing assistance capable of easing some of the difficulties they face in caring for their families.
Delivering a message on the theme, “Whatever You Do for Others, You Do for Christ,” Pastor Solomon Nathaniel highlighted the importance of compassion, generosity and service to humanity.
He encouraged participants to extend kindness to vulnerable members of society, noting that helping people in need reflects the values of the Christian faith.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Princess Pat Ajudua, commended Deaconess Oborevwori for sustaining the Food Bank Initiative and ensuring that women across the state continued to benefit from programmes aimed at improving their welfare.
She described the intervention as a demonstration of concern for vulnerable women and their families.
A major feature of the programme was the symbolic presentation of food items to chairpersons representing the 25 local government areas of Delta State.
The items were subsequently distributed to beneficiaries at the venue.
