The Federal Government delivered 42,000 metric tons of assorted food commodities to the Kano State Government on Monday, aimed at aiding vulnerable individuals in the state.
The items were handed over by the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Hajiya Zubaida Umar, represented by Dr. Ishaya Isah-Chonoko, NEMA’s Acting Zonal Director for the Northwest.
The distribution is part of a broader federal initiative to alleviate the impact of the rising cost of food across the country.
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Dr. Isah-Chonoko stated, “President Bola Ahmed approved the release of 42,000 metric tons of assorted food commodities from the National Strategic Reserve.
This is in fulfillment of his promise to reduce the impact of the current economic downturn being experienced in the country in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The food items handed over include 19,360 bags of 50 kg of maize, 26,400 bags of 50 kg of sorghum, and 8,360 bags of 50 kg of millet. The distribution process involves committees in each local government area (LGA) to ensure that the food reaches the identified deserving beneficiaries.
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Additionally, 20% of the food will be allocated to religious organizations, while 3% will go to boarding schools in each LGA.
During the handover ceremony, Dr. Isah-Chonoko also highlighted the 2024 seasonal climate and annual flood predictions.
He warned that 25 states and 72 LGAs are at high risk of flooding, particularly during April, May, and June. In Kano State, Tofa, Rimin Gado, Kabo, Madobi, Kura, Dawakin Kudu, Wudil, Ajingi, Garum Malam, Bebeji, Sumaila, Dala, Rano, and Warawa LGAs are identified as high-risk areas.
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Dr. Isah-Chonoko urged the state government to prepare proactively by directing the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and local authorities to carry out public enlightenment campaigns, identify high grounds for potential internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, and clear drainages to mitigate flood risks.
Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf, in his response, expressed gratitude to the federal government for their support of the needy and vulnerable in the state.
He assured that the food items would significantly alleviate economic hardships across the 44 LGAs. He also praised NEMA’s DG, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, and Dr. Nura Abdullahi, NEMA Kano/Jigawa Territorial Coordinator, for their contributions.
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Governor Kabir-Yusuf called on the committees responsible for the distribution to adhere strictly to the federal government’s directives and urged beneficiaries to make the most of the provided food items.