MAIDUGURI, Nigeria – The Federal Government on Thursday commenced the nationwide flag-off of emergency food and nutrition support for vulnerable persons, beginning with Borno State, as part of a strategic intervention to mitigate rising food insecurity and restore hope to conflict-affected communities.

The exercise, spearheaded by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, saw the deployment of thousands of bags of essential grains and specialized nutrition supplements to the state, which has been the epicenter of a decade-long insurgency.

Speaking at the flag off ceremony in Maiduguri, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Dr Bernard M.Doro, stated that the initiative was an emergency measure directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address “compounded challenges” facing the nation.

Borno Acting Gov. Kadafur (2nd right) minister of Humanitarian, Dr Bernard Doro (in black cap) presenting food items to beneficiaries)

“This reflects the government’s commitment to food security and economic development,” the Minister said. “The President has insisted that no Nigerian should go hungry, and this program is a vital part of the government’s efforts toward restoring hope.”

The approved relief items include a comprehensive basket of staples: rice, beans, millet, maize, garri, tomato paste, and salt. Specifically, the ministry announced the allocation of 8,566 bags (each) of millet, rice, and maize, alongside “Tom Brown” (a nutrient-rich cereal blend) and other assorted essentials.

The Minister emphasized that the support is designed to provide immediate relief while representing “sustainability, resilience, and the restoration of dignity.” He further directed that the elderly, children, and persons with disabilities must be prioritized during the exercise.

Minister of Humanitarian

The Acting Governor of Borno State, Dr. Usman Umar Kadafur, who officially flagged off the distribution, described the gesture as a “timely and compassionate response” to the peculiar situation in the state.

“Food security is not merely a social obligation; it is a moral imperative and a cornerstone of sustainable peace and development,” Dr. Kadafur remarked. “In Borno State, our administration remains resolute in ensuring that no citizen is left behind in our collective quest for stability and prosperity.”.

While commending President Tinubu for his “unwavering commitment” to safeguarding food security in Borno and across Nigeria, Dr Kadafur further noted that the distribution exercise “symbolizes hope for families struggling to meet their daily nutritional needs and communities striving to rebuild their lives. We assure all stakeholders that the process will be conducted with transparency, fairness, and accountability.”

“Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, welcomed stakeholders and issued a stern call for transparency. He urged all implementation partners to ensure that the items reach the intended vulnerable population without diversion.

The Federal Commissioner for the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Hon. Tijjani Ahmed, also lauded the synergy between the federal and state governments. He specifically acknowledged the Borno State Government’s efforts in the recent repatriation of 3,000 Nigerian refugees from Cameroon.

Beneficiaries React
The event reached its climax with the symbolic presentation of food packs to selected beneficiaries. Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Imam Goni Umar expressed gratitude to the government, noting that the intervention would significantly ease the hardship faced by many families in the state.

The distribution in Borno marks the first phase of a broader federal roadmap to provide a humanitarian cushion across all 36 states of the federation.

Hauwa Ali, one of the  female benefiociaries

One of the beneficiaries, Hauwa Ali, expressed happiness for being selected to participate in the programme.

“I was just at home when I got the invite to be part of the beneficiaries for this programme; I’m so happy because they gave me half a bag of rice, beans and millet each, and some condiments to go home with.”

Another beneficiary, Khaltum Bukar, also offered prayers to the federal government and the Borno state governor for giving them food that would take them close to the the Ramadan period. “This will go a long way for us through the coming Ramadan.”