First Lady Oluremi Tinubu disclosed the support on Friday during her visit to Cross River, where she also inaugurated the South-South phase of the National Community Foodbank Programme.
She said President Bola Tinubu approved N25 million for each of 18 affected business owners, amounting to N450 million, to help them recover from the losses caused by the fire.
An additional N50 million was presented to the wife of the Cross River State Governor, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu, for distribution to women’s groups, while another N15 million was given to women who welcomed the First Lady during her visit.
“Mr. President commiserates with the government and people of Cross River over this unfortunate incident that destroyed many businesses and livelihoods,” Senator Tinubu said.
She explained that the financial assistance was designed to provide immediate relief to the affected entrepreneurs and enable them to begin rebuilding their businesses.
The August 22 inferno at the shopping mall destroyed several businesses, with property and goods estimated to be worth billions of naira lost in the incident.
FOODBANK PROGRAMME EXPANDED TO SOUTH-SOUTH
During the visit, the First Lady also launched the South-South component of the National Community Foodbank Programme.
The initiative is aimed at improving access to food and nutritious meals for vulnerable households while helping to reduce malnutrition and food insecurity.
Senator Tinubu said the programme would provide additional support to families facing hardship and complement other government efforts to improve food security across the country.
Receiving the First Lady, Cross River State Governor Bassey Edet Otu expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the First Lady for the relief package, describing it as timely support for the fire victims.
The governor said the funds would give affected entrepreneurs an opportunity to restart their businesses and rebuild their sources of livelihood.
Otu also welcomed the extension of the Foodbank Programme to the South-South region, saying it would strengthen social protection measures and improve the welfare of vulnerable residents.
He described Cross River’s selection as the host state for the regional launch as evidence of the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling food insecurity and supporting Nigerians in need.
