The Federal Government has officially flagged off the distribution of Presidential Emergency Food and Nutrition Assistance, along with essential drugs, to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and vulnerable populations across ten Northern states, with Sokoto State serving as the host for this historic exercise.
The flag-off ceremony, held at the Government House in Sokoto, brought together top government officials, development partners, and key stakeholders in the humanitarian sector.
The event was formally inaugurated by the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, who reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting vulnerable populations and ensuring that assistance reaches those who need it most.
Dr. Sununu explained that the intervention targets beneficiaries across ten Northern states, including women, children, the aged, persons with disabilities, and IDPs.
He noted that the initiative reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes social protection, food security, and human capital development.
Commending the Sokoto State Government for its cooperation, the Minister described the exercise as a demonstration of effective collaboration between the Federal and state governments in addressing humanitarian needs.
He assured that the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs would maintain strict oversight to ensure transparency and accountability in the distribution process.
Highlighting the timing of the programme with Ramadan approaching, Dr. Sununu said the intervention would provide much-needed relief to vulnerable households, enabling them to observe the fast with ease, and urged beneficiaries to use the assistance judiciously.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu expressed profound appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs for choosing Sokoto as the centre of the intervention.
He described the programme as a clear demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling food insecurity, malnutrition, and other challenges facing the most vulnerable.
Governor Aliyu highlighted that since assuming office two years ago, his administration has consistently placed the welfare of vulnerable groups at the core of its development agenda.
He revealed that the state had distributed 1,095 bags of rice and ₦347 million to families affected by banditry in seven local government areas, alongside hundreds of bags of essential food items, including rice, maize and beans and financial support.
The Governor also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his visionary leadership and the transformative Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the Federal Government’s nutrition and food intervention aligns perfectly with Sokoto State’s programmes for vulnerable populations.
In preparation for Ramadan, Governor Aliyu announced that the Sokoto State Government is distributing 50kg bags of maize and ₦50,000 cash assistance to 1,000 beneficiaries, complementing the Federal Government’s intervention.
The beneficiaries include the needy, orphans, widows, persons with disabilities, IDPs and the aged.
He further highlighted collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which facilitated the construction of 100 housing units for IDPs in Illela Local Government Area, with plans to extend similar interventions to other affected communities.
Representing the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Alhasan Cigari commended both the Federal and State Governments for their commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, noting that the Sultanate Council fully endorses the initiative.
He described it as a demonstration of compassion, social responsibility and the Islamic values of caring for the needy.
Beneficiaries, including Saadu Abubakar and Idris Muhammad, expressed deep appreciation for the gesture, describing the intervention as timely and impactful, particularly in easing their burden during Ramadan.
