By: John Bassey, Kebbi.

The Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris has flagged off the distribution of food and nutrition items to vulnerable population of kebbi affected by humanitarian crises.

The programme is under the Presidential Initiative for the Provision of Food and Nutrition Assistance.

Speaking at the event held at Haliru Abdu Stadium in Birnin Kebbi, the governor appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for extending the gesture to Kebbi State.

He said: “Kebbi did not have it so good like this time of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, this government came up with different types of empowerment and initiatives in support of people especially the vulnerable population.

“This shows that our president is the president of people. Empowerment upon empowerment, intervention upon intervention.

“Therefore, we have no course whatsoever not to thank Mr President for his efforts.”

Idris recalled that Kebbi was the first state to endorse Mr President for another four years tenure, subsequently other states borrowed a leave from the initiative.

The governor expressed appreciation that the today’s gesture was just for Kebbi central, other senatorial zones would also enjoy similar bounties.

In his speech, Dr Yusuf Tanko-Sununu, Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, said the occasion was part of proactive measures of Mr President to bring succour to the people.

He said the programme was designed to cushion the effects of flood that affected some farmers as well as those affected by conflicts and other natural disasters.

The minister listed items to be distributed to include; rice, beans, millet, fortified food, cocking oil and tomato paste among others.

He apreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the initiative as well as Gov. Nasir Idris of kebbi for his support and cooperation to the programme.

Tanko-Sununu said apart from the food distribution, medicine had been distributed to hospitals in the state as part of presidential support to patients.

Earlier, Mr Olubimi Olusanya, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, said the intervention was not only distribution of food items but an intervention from Mr President to ensure inclusion.

He commended the governor for strong collaboration with the federal government to ensure assistance to vulnerable persons in the state.