By Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
The Governor of Yobe State, (Dr.) Mai Mala Buni has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting vulnerable Nigerians, as he flagged off the distribution of Presidential Emergency Food and Nutrition Items to households across the state.
The flag-off ceremony, held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Damaturu, brought together, government officials, politicians, traditional and religious leaders, as well as representatives of vulnerable groups, including persons living with disabilities.
Speaking at the event, Governor Buni praised the Federal Government for its continued support to vulnerable communities in Yobe State.
The Governor noted that the Federal Government and the Yobe State Government are working in synergy to strengthen the State Recovery Programme and restore hope to communities affected by hardship and displacement.
He explained that the support from the Federal Government complements the state government’s ongoing efforts to improve the living conditions of vulnerable citizens and rebuild communities affected by insurgency.
Governor Buni also disclosed that the United Nations has recognised Yobe State as a role model in the resettlement and reinvigoration of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria.
He expressed optimism that the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management would continue to collaborate with the state government to ensure that households in need receive adequate support.
The Governor further commended the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for successfully conducting a registration exercise that captured 488 households comprising 1,699 individuals, describing the initiative as a major step toward strengthening the state’s humanitarian database and ensuring transparency and accountability in targeting beneficiaries.
Governor Buni also advised beneficiaries not to sell the items but to use them judiciously to support their wellbeing and that of their families.
Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hon. Yusuf Tanko Bununu, said President Tinubu approved the special intervention to support vulnerable households across ten states in the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions.
According to him, more than 30 million Nigerians are currently at risk of extreme hunger and poverty, particularly among vulnerable groups.
Hon. Bununu commended Governor Buni for prioritising the welfare of vulnerable citizens, noting that Yobe is among the few states operating an online platform for vulnerable persons, which promotes transparency and accountability in identifying beneficiaries.
In her welcome address, the state Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr. Mairo Amshi, assured that the distribution of the items would be carried out transparently and accountably to reach the targeted beneficiaries.
She also appreciated the Federal Government and development partners for their continued support to vulnerable persons and people living with disability in the state.
