First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has announced a Federal Government relief package for business owners whose shops were destroyed in the fire that gutted the SPAR shopping mall in Calabar, Cross River State.

The intervention was announced on Friday during the launch of the South-South phase of the National Community Food Bank Programme in Calabar.

According to the First Lady, President Bola Tinubu approved N25 million for each of the 18 business owners affected by the August 22 incident. The payments amount to N450 million and are intended to help the affected entrepreneurs rebuild their businesses and recover from the losses suffered.

Oluremi said the President sympathised with the people of Cross River over the incident, which disrupted businesses and affected the livelihoods of several operators at the shopping complex.

She explained that the financial assistance was designed to provide immediate relief to those who lost businesses and valuable assets in the fire.

Beyond the support for the affected businesses, the First Lady announced another N50 million intervention for women’s groups in the state. She said the money had been presented to the wife of the Cross River State Governor, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu.

An additional N15 million was also given to women who welcomed the First Lady during her visit to the state.

The fire, which occurred on August 22, destroyed several businesses operating within the Calabar shopping mall, leaving affected owners with significant financial losses.

Speaking on the National Community Food Bank Programme, Oluremi said the initiative was aimed at tackling food insecurity and malnutrition among vulnerable Nigerians.

She said the programme would cover six South-South states: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers.

According to her, priority would be given to vulnerable groups, including children below six years, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.

The First Lady described the food bank initiative as a long-term intervention designed to improve access to food and support vulnerable households across the region.