News in Brief:
– The Nigerian government is distributing food aid to tackle food insecurity, delivering 1,437.5 metric tons of grains to vulnerable residents in Niger State as part of a nationwide plan.
– NEMA, the coordinating agency, emphasised fair distribution and urged preparedness for potential floods.
Nigeria’s federal government has delivered a significant amount of food aid to vulnerable residents in Niger State. This gesture is part of a broader effort to address food insecurity across the country, according to a local news report.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) announced the delivery while explaining that the distribution aligns with a nationwide initiative approved by President Bola Tinubu. The ultimate aim is to distribute a total of 42,000 metric tonnes of grains to those in need as the program officially commenced in Sokoto state on April 8, 2024.
Also, NEMA’s director general, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, personally handed over the food aid to Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago. The delivery consisted of 975 metric tons of maize and 117.5 metric tons of garri. Similar deliveries were also made to Delta State on the same day.
Furthermore, Umar higlighted the importance of fair distribution across all local government areas in Niger State. She also urged the state government to take proactive measures in anticipation of potential flooding later in 2024. These measures include public awareness campaigns and the creation of clear water channels.
Meantime, the initiative aims to reach vulnerable Nigerians across the entire country. As stated during the launch in April, the Minister of Information and Culture, Mohammed Malagi, assured that every state would benefit from the program.
