By Chimezie Godfrey
The Federal Government has flagged off the distribution of Presidential Emergency Food and Nutrition Items in Kebbi State on Thursday, as part of sustained efforts to address food insecurity and protect vulnerable Nigerians.
The flag-off ceremony took place at the Haliru Abdu Multi-Purpose Stadium, Birnin Kebbi.
“This intervention underscores President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proactive response to alarming projections that over 35 million Nigerians may face food insecurity,” Head of Information & Public Relations Unit, Chinyere Anthonia Ulasi, quoted the Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yu
suf Tanko Sununu, as saying.
She stated that the initiative is designed to cushion the effects of economic hardship, climate-related challenges, flooding, and funding gaps arising from reductions in international humanitarian support.
Ulasi further quoted the minister explaining that the distribution in Kebbi Central is the first phase, with subsequent exercises scheduled for Kebbi North and Kebbi South Senatorial Districts.
She added that the intervention includes rice, beans, millet, cooking oil, fortified foods, seasoning, tomatoes, essential medicines and nutrition supplies for treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition.
She also quoted Sununu as emphasising that the programme is not only about emergency relief but about restoring dignity, strengthening national ownership of humanitarian action and reinforcing social protection systems for long-term resilience.
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According to Ulasi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, described the initiative as a decisive and compassionate response to deepening food insecurity, particularly in northern Nigeria, while urging transparency and fairness in the distribution process.
She added that Governor Nasir Idris commended President Tinubu for what he described as unprecedented humanitarian interventions in the state and assured continued collaboration to ensure effective implementation across all senatorial districts.
The event was attended by top government officials including the Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Umar Abubakar, the Chief Judge, the Speaker of the State Assembly and the Emir of Zuru.