FIC Report (Sokoto State) – The Federal Government has officially flagged off the distribution of presidential emergency food and nutrition Assistance, along with essential drugs, to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)and vulnerable populations across ten Northern states, with Sokoto State hosting the historic exercise.
The flag off ceremony, held in Sokoto, brought together top government officials, development partners, and Key stakeholders in the humanitarian sector.
The Minister of state for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Yusuf Tanko Sununu, formally inaugurated the event, reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting vulnerable populations and ensuring that assistance reaches those who need it most.
The intervention targets beneficiaries across some ten northern states including women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities and IDPs. Dr Sununu noted that the initiative reflects president Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda which prioritizes social protection, food security and human capital development.
Dr Sununu, commended the Sokoto state Government for its co-operation and support in hosting the national exercise, describing it as a demonstration of effective collaboration between the Federal Government and state governments in addressing humanitarian needs.
He assured that the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs would maintain strict oversight to ensure transparency and accountability in the distribution process.
With Ramadan approaching, Dr Sununu said the intervention would provide much-needed relief to vulnerable households, enabling them to observe fast with ease, and urged beneficiaries to use the assistance judiciously.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu expressed profound appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs for choosing Sokoto as the centre of the intervention.
He described the programme as a clear demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling food insecurity, malnutrition and other challenges facing the most vulnerable.
Governor Aliyu highlighted that since assuming office two years ago, his administration has consistently placed the welfare of vulnerable groups as the core of its development agenda.
He revealed that the state had distributed 1,095 bags of rice and N347 million to families affected by banditry in seven Local Government Areas, alongside hundreds of bags of essential food items, including rice, maize and beans as well as financial support.
The Governor also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his visionary leadership and transformative Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that Federal Government’s nutrition and food intervention aligns perfectly with Sokoto State’s programmes for vulnerable populations.
In preparation for Ramadan, Governor Aliyu announced that the Sokoto state Government is distributing 50kg bags of maize and N50,000 cash assistance to 1,000 beneficiaries, complementing the Federal Government’s intervention.
The beneficiaries include the needy, orphans, widows, persons with disabilities, IDPs, and the elderly.
He further highlighted the collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),which facilitated the construction of 100 housing units for IDPs in Illela Local Government Area, with plans to extend similar interventions to other affected communities.
Representing the Sultan’s Council, Alhaji Alhasan Cigari, commended both the Federal and State Governments for their commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, noting that the Sultanate Council fully endorses the initiative.
Each beneficiary received a bag of rice, maize, beans, cooking oil and N50,000 donated by the state Government.
Beneficiaries, including Idris Muhammed, Sa’adu Abubakar and Fatima Aliyu, expressed deep appreciation for the gesture, describing the intervention as timely and impactful, in easing their burden during the upcoming Ramadan fast.
Governor Aliyu, assured stakeholders of the State Government’s continued commitment to transparency, accountability and effective implementation of all social intervention programmes, urging all involved in the distribution to act with fairness and fear of Allah.
Signed
Ramatu Sani (Mrs),
Head of Centre,
FIC, Sokoto.
12/02/2026.
