First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has announced a N500m presidential relief package for 18 business owners affected by the August 22 fire at the SPAR shopping mall in Calabar, Cross River State.
Tinubu made the announcement on Friday during the launch of the South-South zonal phase of the National Community Food Bank Programme in Calabar.
She said President Bola Tinubu had approved N25m for each of the 18 affected business owners, totalling N450m, to help them recover from the losses caused by the fire.
“Mr. President commiserates with the government and people of Cross River over this unfortunate incident that destroyed many businesses and livelihoods.
“Mr President has asked me to give N25 million for each of the 18 business owners affected. This intervention is to provide immediate support and help victims recover from their losses,” she said.
Tinubu also announced an additional N50m for women’s groups, which she said was presented to the wife of the Cross River State Governor, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu, while N15m was given to women who welcomed her to the state.
The August 22 fire at the shopping mall affected several businesses and left owners facing substantial financial losses.
The relief package, according to the First Lady, was intended to provide immediate assistance to the affected entrepreneurs and support their recovery from the incident.
She said the foodbank initiative was a deliberate and sustainable response to food insecurity and malnutrition among vulnerable households across Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers states, adding that the programme targets children under six, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
