By Chimezie Godfrey
The Federal Government has flagged off the distribution of Presidential Emergency Food and Nutrition items in Kebbi State as part of sustained efforts to combat food insecurity and shield vulnerable Nigerians from worsening economic hardship.
Delivering his keynote address during the ceremony held at the Haliru Abdu Multipurpose stadium, Birnin Kebbi, the Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, said the intervention reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decisive response to projections indicating that over 35 million Nigerians could face food insecurity.
He noted that the programme is aimed at cushioning the effects of economic strain, climate-induced disruptions, flooding, and funding shortfalls resulting from reduced international humanitarian assistance.
The Minister explained that the exercise in Kebbi Central Senatorial District marks the first phase of the intervention, with subsequent distributions planned for Kebbi North and Kebbi South. Items being distributed include rice, beans, millet, cooking oil, fortified foods, seasoning, tomatoes, and essential medicines. Nutrition commodities have also been delivered to health facilities to support the treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM).
Dr. Sununu stressed that the initiative goes beyond emergency relief, describing it as a strategic effort to restore dignity to affected households, strengthen national ownership of humanitarian responses, and reinforce social protection systems for long-term resilience.
In his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, described the intervention as a compassionate and timely response to escalating food insecurity, particularly across northern Nigeria.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind and called on stakeholders to maintain transparency, accountability, and fairness throughout the distribution process.
Flagging off the exercise, Governor Nasir Idris commended President Tinubu for what he termed unprecedented humanitarian support to the state. He applauded the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction for the scale and quality of the items provided, noting that the intervention demonstrates a people-focused government committed to citizens’ welfare.
The Governor assured that the state government would continue to collaborate closely with the Federal Government to guarantee effective implementation and equitable distribution to beneficiaries across all senatorial districts.
The ceremony was led by the Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris Kauran Gwandu, alongside the Honourable Minister of State, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu.
Dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Sen. Umar Abubakar, OFR (Tafidan Kabi); the Chief Judge of Kebbi State; the Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly; and the Emir of Zuru, Mohammed Sanusi Mikalu Sami Gomo III.