The Federal Government has commenced the distribution of Presidential Emergency Food and Nutrition Items in Borno State as part of a nationwide intervention to support vulnerable households affected by conflict, displacement and economic hardship.
The initiative was launched at Ramat Square, Maiduguri, by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, who described it as a deliberate effort to stabilise nutrition, protect lives and restore hope among affected populations.
Dr Doro explained that the intervention targets 10 northern states, Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Benue, Niger, Plateau, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi, reflecting government’s commitment to tackling food insecurity and humanitarian challenges.
According to him, large quantities of food and nutrition items have been mobilised nationwide, including rice, beans, millet, maize, groundnut oil, palm oil, tom brown, tomato paste, seasoning cubes, salt and essential medicines. In Borno alone, allocations include 8,565 bags each of millet, rice and maize, 8,565 units of groundnut oil, 1,429 cartons of palm oil, 8,565 units of tom brown, as well as cartons of tomato paste, seasoning cubes, salt and medicines.
He noted that the distribution was based on assessed humanitarian needs and the number of vulnerable households in the state. The minister commended the resilience of Borno residents and praised security agencies, development partners, community leaders and frontline workers for their support. He urged beneficiaries to use the items judiciously, especially for children, pregnant women and the elderly, while assuring that the process would be closely monitored for transparency and accountability.
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Olubunmi Olusanya, said the exercise marked a significant step in addressing food insecurity among vulnerable populations.
Meanwhile, Dr Doro, who attended the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) service on Sunday as a special guest, was received by Pastor Modele Fatoyimbo. She appealed to him to leverage his office to advance tangible and sustainable poverty reduction across the country.
By Ere-ebi Agedah Imisi, Abuja
