By: Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto.

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, has distributed essential food items and cash assistance to vulnerable populations in Sokoto State. The programme, commissioned by Minister Dr. Betta Edu, represented by Dr. Jamila Sununu, aims to provide relief to families affected by banditry and other humanitarian crises.

Dr. Jamila Sununu explained that the intervention targets beneficiaries across ten Northern states, including women, children, the aged, persons with disabilities, and IDPs. The initiative reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, prioritizing social protection, food security, and human capital development.

The Federal Government’s intervention includes 1,095 bags of rice and ₦347 million, alongside hundreds of bags of essential food items, including maize and beans, and financial support. The Sokoto State Government is also distributing 50kg bags of maize and ₦50,000 cash assistance to 1,000 beneficiaries, complementing the Federal Government’s intervention.

Governor Ahmed Aliyu expressed profound appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs for choosing Sokoto as the centre of the intervention. He highlighted that the state had distributed the items to families affected by banditry in seven local government areas.

The beneficiaries include the needy, orphans, widows, persons with disabilities, IDPs, and the aged. Governor Aliyu 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 with Sokoto State’s programmes for vulnerable populations.

The Minister’s representative, Dr. Sununu, commended the Sokoto State Government for its cooperation, describing the exercise as a demonstration of effective collaboration between the Federal and state governments in addressing humanitarian needs.

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs will maintain strict oversight to ensure transparency and accountability in the distribution process. The intervention will provide much-needed relief to vulnerable households, enabling them to observe Ramadan with ease.

Highlighting the timing of the programme with Ramadan approaching, Dr. Sununu urged beneficiaries to use the assistance judiciously. Governor Ahmed Aliyu announced that the Sokoto State Government’s distribution is part of its ongoing efforts to support vulnerable populations.

The Sokoto State Government has collaborated with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to construct 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.

Alhaji Alhasan Cigari described the intervention as a demonstration of compassion, social responsibility, and 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.

The intervention is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to address humanitarian needs and support vulnerable populations, aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda.