Director-general of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar, on behalf of the federal government has flagged-off the distribution of assorted grains to vulnerable groups in Sokoto State.
The event was witnessed by the minister of agriculture and food security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, the minister of information and national orientation, Alhaji Idris Mohammed, the minister of state for agriculture and food security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi and the governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu.
Umar said, “The distribution of grains is part of a comprehensive intervention programme the Federal Government is implementing to cushion hardship in the land and revamp the Nigerian economy for sustainable development and prosperity for all citizens.
“President Tinubu is concerned about rising food prices and is determined to make essential food available and affordable for Nigerians, which is why he approved the distribution of 42,000 metric tonnes of assorted grains, including sorghum, millet, and maize, and 60,000 metric tonnes of rice through millers.”
Kyari, in his remarks said, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is desirous of cushioning the effect of the rising cost of food commodities by ensuring a sustained buffer stock, as provided by the Nigeria Food Storage Policy.
He asked state governments to activate the buffer stock in their various states so that in cases of emergency and future food interventions like this, they will have stocks that complement the federal government’s efforts.
The minister of information and national orientation, Alhaji Idris Mohammed, said the food items were in line with the promise made by Tinubu to improve the lives and welfare of Nigerians.
He listed the marked reduction of petrol importation to 50 percent monthly, the stabilized foreign exchange with Naira waxing stronger daily, and the recent launch of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF), which aims to raise about N20 trillion for investment in critical sectors of the economy as early wins.
Receiving the items, Governor Aliyu appreciated Tinubu and the federal government for the palliative. He confirmed the quantity of the items received from NEMA and assured adherence to the given template for the distribution.
The number of items handed to the Sokoto State government for onward distribution to vulnerable populations across the state include 10,120 bags of maize, 11,960 bags of sorghum and 4,324 bags of millets.
