The Presidential Emergency Food and Nutrition Support intervention in Yobe State was flagged off on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. The Government reinforced its commitment to addressing food insecurity and strengthening resilience in conflict-affected communities across the North-East.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Damaturu, the Honourable Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, described the intervention as a deliberate and strategic response to the protracted humanitarian challenges confronting Yobe State and the wider region.
Dr. Sununu noted that years of insurgency and violent extremism have displaced thousands of families, disrupted livelihoods, and weakened household resilience. He added that climate-induced challenges—including desertification, erratic rainfall, and periodic flooding—have significantly reduced agricultural productivity in the agrarian state, worsening food insecurity and poverty levels.
Despite the scaling down of support from some international development partners, the Minister stressed that the Federal Government remains resolute in ensuring that vulnerable Nigerians do not bear the burden of funding shortfalls.
He expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for prioritizing social protection and humanitarian response under the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the intervention reflects the administration’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the welfare, dignity, and resilience of poor and vulnerable citizens.
Dr. Sununu also commended the Executive Governor of Yobe State, His Excellency Mai Mala Buni, CON (Chiroman Gujba), for fostering strong collaboration with the Federal Government to ensure seamless coordination and effective implementation of humanitarian programmes. He further acknowledged the vital role of His Royal Highness, Shehu Hashimi II, Ibn Umar El-Kanemi, Emir of Damaturu, in promoting peace, transparency and community mobilization.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, stated that the distribution forms part of the Presidential Initiative for Emergency Food and Nutrition Support designed to tackle food insecurity and malnutrition across the most conflict-affected northern states.
He explained that the intervention in Yobe includes the distribution of food items, nutrition commodities, and essential medical supplies targeted at internally displaced persons (IDPs), vulnerable returnees, women-headed households, malnourished children, the elderly and persons with disabilities.
Mr. Olusanya reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and fairness, noting that structured systems have been established in partnership with the Yobe State Government to ensure proper beneficiary targeting and functional feedback mechanisms. He stressed that beyond emergency relief, the broader objective is to stabilize households, promote early recovery, and build long-term community resilience.
In his remarks, His Excellency Mai Mala Buni expressed deep appreciation to the Federal Government for its sustained support toward Yobe’s recovery and development efforts. He disclosed that the State has taken bold steps toward durable solutions, including the launch of Nigeria’s first State Policy on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), backed by budgetary commitment and integrated into the State’s 25-Year Development Plan.
The Governor further revealed that the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA), recently conducted a successful registration exercise for asylum seekers in Geidam Local Government Area, documenting 488 households comprising 1,699 individuals.
Governor Buni reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to data-driven humanitarian coordination and continuous registration of vulnerable persons to ensure that no one is left undocumented or unsupported. He urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the distributed items and called on all stakeholders to uphold integrity, compassion, and unity throughout the implementation process.
The ceremony concluded with the official declaration of the flag-off of the distribution exercise, symbolizing renewed hope and strengthened partnership between the Federal and Yobe State Governments in advancing food security, resilience, and sustainable poverty reduction across the State.
Chinyere A. Ulasi
Head, Information & Public Relations Unit