The Federal Government has handed over 12,367 bags of rice to the Sokoto State Government as part of the palliative measures aimed at cushioning the effects of the fuel subsidy removal.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, and the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Political Matters, Ibrahim Masari, presented the bags of rice on Thursday.
In his address, Bagudu said the gesture was part of a Presidential initiative to support states in alleviating the impact of the fuel subsidy removal.
He emphasized that the Federal Government had earlier distributed fertilizers, grains, and other food items, alongside support for transportation systems, housing, and other critical areas.
The minister further described the present economic challenges as part of a global phenomenon, citing conflicts, climate change, poor demographic planning, and other factors as contributing issues.
Masari, also speaking at the event, explained that President Tinubu had introduced several measures to address the current economic challenges and improve the well-being of Nigerians.
He reassured the public that these challenges were temporary and that long-term socioeconomic strategies had been designed to stabilize the country.
He urged Nigerians to understand the situation and support President Tinubu’s *Renewed Hope* policies and strategic planning for meaningful national development.
Gov. Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto praised President Tinubu’s leadership style and pledged continued support to ease the suffering of citizens while driving infrastructural development across the country.
Aliyu disclosed that the state government had received 60 trucks of fertilizer and 20 trucks of grains, which were distributed free of charge to citizens across the 23 local government areas of the state.
He added that the state government had procured 12,367 bags of rice for free distribution, with additional bags earmarked for sale at half-price to citizens.
The governor also noted that 9,200 bags of rice, along with N5,000 cash, were distributed to the needy and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) through the Zakkat and Endowment Commission.
Further enhancing public services, the administration has procured 120 vehicles for interstate, intra-township, and local government transportation systems, in addition to providing 1,000 motorcycles and 100 tricycles for youths to improve transportation services for residents. Beneficiaries of these initiatives included religious groups, persons with disabilities, traditional institutions, youth, and women’s associations.
A cross-section of beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the palliative measures, with the event attended by dignitaries such as Sen. Aliyu Wamakko (APC Sokoto Central) and the Secretary to the State Government, Bello Sifawa, among others.
In a similar development, the Federal Government handed over 24,180 bags of 50kg maize and 5,828 bags of 25kg *garri* to the Akwa Ibom State Government for distribution to vulnerable households. Mrs. Zubaida Umar, Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), made the presentation on behalf of the Federal Government in Uyo.
Represented by Mrs. Mmandu Aisueni, Head of Operations at NEMA’s Akwa Ibom office, Umar noted that the donation was in line with President Tinubu’s promise to Nigerians. She recalled that the Federal Government had approved the release of 42,000 metric tonnes of assorted food items from the National Strategic Reserve to support vulnerable households.
“This is the government’s way of reducing the impact of the current economic hardship in the country,” Umar said, adding that the food items would be distributed at the local government level through properly constituted committees.
The local government committees, she said, should include council chairmen, representatives of the State Emergency Management Agency, and traditional institutions.
Additionally, 20 per cent of the food items would be allocated to religious groups, and three per cent would be given to boarding schools in each area.
Receiving the items, Dr. Offiong Offor, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, commended the Federal Government for its intervention, describing it as a demonstration of its commitment to the welfare of citizens.
Offor assured that the state government would ensure the items reached the intended beneficiaries.
