The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Abel Enitan, has said that about 14,694 vulnerable persons have benefitted in Katsina and Sokoto States under the Phase 2 Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Stabilisation Project. Abel Enitan stated this during the launch of the project held at Government House Katsina State.
The Permanent Secretary said the project aims at alleviating the challenges faced by vulnerable persons affected by crises and natural disasters.
The project will provide nutritional support to children, pregnant and lactating women, the elderly and the sick. “Cash-based Transfer Vouchers would also be provided to families with the flexibility to prioritize their spending according to their most urgent needs, be it food, healthcare or education.
“These efforts have the ultimate goal of ensuring a future where peace stability and prosperity are not just aspirations, but realities for all, consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration,” he said.
Enitan appreciated the ECOWAS and World Food Programme for their continuous support and funding which has immensely touched the lives of vulnerable persons affected by conflicts, flood and other forms of natural disasters in the country.
He also thanked the Executive Governor of Katsina, His Excellency, Dr Dikko Umaru Radda, for supporting the launch of the initiative in the state.
The Executive Governor of the Katsina State, His Excellency, Dr Dikko Umaru Radda, said that the State acknowledges the status of malnutrition problem and therefore has continued to prioritise adequate funding for the State Primary Health Care Development Agency under the State Ministry of Health.
“We have already embarked on the construction and establishment of functional primary health centres in 102 wards of the state. Before the end of the tenure, we will have functional primary health centres in all the wards of the state.
He stated that Katsina State is among the few states that have domesticated the Federal Government’s approach of assisting vulnerable households at the state level by establishing Katsina Social Investment Programme Agency (KASIPA).
The Governor thanked the ECOWAS, FMHAPA and WFP for choosing the two states; Katsina and Sokoto, for the Stabilisation Project.
He said the state looks forward to more of such partnership and collaboration.
The President of ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency, Dr Omar Alieu Touray speaking through his representative, Alozie Amaechi Godfrey, stated that over one decade Nigeria has witnessed serious security concerns occasioned by the activities of Boko Haram. This has resulted to unprecedented loss of lives, displacements, loss of livelihood and exacerbation of food and nutrition crisis. He commended the Federal government for remaining resolute and steadfast in protecting the affected populations and communities making sure that the effect of the crises does not overwhelm the people by providing Humanitarian assistance as well as post crises interventions.
“In line with the directives of the Heads of State, the ECOWAS Commission established a stabilization Fund with a commitment of the sum of one (1) million USD in 2020 budget as part of its commitment to supporting the Nigerian Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan. Sequel to the 2020 budget, another sum of one (1) million USD was approved in the 2023 budget of ECOWAS to further assist victims of the crises in the North.
The 2024 Stabilisation has also been approved and waiting for government to kick-off its implementation.
He said ECOWAS is committed to its Humanitarian principles and will maintain its assistance to Nigeria and other Members States in times of Humanitarian emergency when invited to assist.
He called for enhanced Synergy and collaboration with the Federal government, World Food Programme, member states and other United Nations and Development partners.
The National Coordinator, National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Professor Badamasi Lawal Charanchi, commended all stakeholders for supporting vulnerable persons in the Katsina State.
The Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to ECOWAS, His Excellency Ambassador Nuhu Musa said the Stabilisation project is one of the several ECOWAS initiative designed to improve the lives of Nigerians.
The Director ECOWAS National Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb Awe Olawale, also commended the Federal government in addressing the plight of vulnerable citizens in Nigeria.
The Country Director WFP Nigeria, David Stevenson represented by the Programme Policy Officer, WFP, Manuela Reinfeld, said “Already during the first phase of our joint effort in 2021/2022, WFP delivered critical food, nutrition and resilience-building support to vulnerable people in need. Building on the success of Phase 1 and the lessons learned, we are now ready to embark on the next chapter of our joint journey. Phase 2 of this partnership is designed to provide more integrated approach- supporting essential food and nutrition needs while also building the resilience of communities to tackle root causes of food and nutrition insecurity.
“As part of WFP’s broader engagement in the North West, another 73,000 vulnerable people in 5 LGAs in Katsina are receiving wheat grain, about 2000MT, during the peak of the lean season to supplement the ECOWAS/FMHAPA support.
“WFP will further geographically expand today’s support to provide additional malnutrition supplementation to targeted mothers and children later in the year for local Tom Brown production” she noted.
The Executive Director/ State Coordinator Katsina State Social Investment Programme Agency (KASIPA), Dr Nasiru stated that 7,347 vulnerable persons from Katsina and Jibia local government areas of the state would benefit from the Stabilisation Project.
One of the beneficiaries, Ahmed Aminu, a 35 year old sick man who received a cash voucher donation expressed appreciation to the Federal government, ECOWAS and WFP for the kind gesture of remembering the vulnerable in the state.
The High point of the event was the presentation of food packages and cash-transfer vouchers to beneficiaries by the Governor and other dignitaries.
Iliya Rhoda Ishaku
Deputy Director Information and PR
