News
Aliyu Distributes 360 Metric Tons Of Assorted Food Items To Vulnerable In FCT
The Minister of State Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu has distributed over 360 metric tons of assorted food items to the vulnerable and indigent groups in the nation’s capital.
At the flag-off ceremony held at the FCT Sports complex, Garki, Dr. Aliyu said that the exercise was part of strategy adopted by the federal government to cushion the effect of growing global economic recession which has adversely affected the capacities of average Nigerians to put food on their tables.
According to the minister assorted food items distributed include, 4,918 50kg bags of Maize, 2,800 50kg bags of Guinea Corn and 2,400 25kg bags of Garri.
Aliyu stressed that the directive for the release of assorted food items from the National Strategic Reserve for urgent distribution to vulnerable and indigent groups in the society underscores the commitment of the present administration under the dynamic leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, to promote social equity and improving the lot of all Nigerians.
She, however, assured that all the grains would be judiciously distributed among the vulnerable groups in the six area councils of the FCT at no cost.
While reassuring residents of the commitment of the FCT Administration towards repositioning the agricultural sector, she stressed that the administration would continue to give impetus to various Agric support programmes.
“We are equally very hopeful that the FCT Livestock Development Plan which is being put in place will help to revitalize the sector towards not only improving food and nutrition security, but enhance revenue inflow for all stakeholders in livestock sub-sector and boost the economy of Nigeria,” she added.
In his remarks, the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, noted that the federal government was aware that, the indigent groups as well as middle class who constitute a significant percentage of the population, are amongst the category of persons that have been adversely affected by the harsh global economic recession, conflicts as well as climate change.
Olusade used the occasion to reveal that a report obtained from the World Food Programme (WFP) shows that over 828 million people go to bed hungry every night, the number of those facing acute food insecurity has soared from 135 million to 345 million since 2019, while a total of 50 million people in 45 countries are teetering on the edge of famine.
He, therefore, commended the federal government who has the well-being of Nigerians at heart, for directing the emergency release of assorted food items from the national strategic reserve for distribution to vulnerable groups in the society.
On his part, Mandate Secretary FCTA Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Mallam Abubakar Ibrahim, stated that in ensuring that the programme achieves the desired objectives, the secretariat had in liaison with area council authorities and the17 chiefdoms identified families and groups that would be given priority in the distribution of the items.
He also added, “We have equally made adequate arrangements to move the items closer to the reach of targeted beneficiaries in the various area councils”.
The Civil Society Organization under the umbrella of the Coalition of Zamfara Youths has criticised Governor Dauda Lawal for removing 2,363 workers from the state’s payroll, describing the action as unjust and detrimental to security in the region, described the move, calling it “the height of wickedness” and arguing that it would worsen insecurity in the state.
In a statement on Tuesday, the chairman of the coalition, Dr Umar Jelaludeen, rejected the government’s claim.
“What Governor Dauda has done is purely an act of wickedness. There is nothing like ghost workers,” he said.
Jelaludeen criticised the government for not conducting a screening exercise to verify the existence of ghost workers before making the decision.
“We are in Zamfara State, and there has been no official announcement of any screening. We just woke up to the breaking news from the government,” he added.
The group also praised former Governor Bello Matawalle for his fair treatment of civil servants during his tenure.
“Under Matawalle’s administration, there were no mass sackings. Instead, he created employment opportunities, appointing 8,000 young people into his government,” the coalition stated.
The group alleged that the sacking of workers was a deliberate move to deny civil servants their wages and divert funds for private use.
“Why sack these workers, knowing fully well that they have nothing to feed on? The state government has dismissed them all in the name of ghost workers,” the coalition said.
They further warned that such actions could deter investors from coming to Zamfara due to heightened insecurity and economic instability.
“We have been complaining about insecurity in the state, and this is one of the reasons investors are reluctant to come. We call on Governor Dauda to reinstate the workers, as he is not creating jobs but rather sacking those already in the system without following due process.”
The group also expressed concerns over financial transparency, noting that in the combined 12 years of former Governors Abdulaziz Yari and Bello Matawalle, Zamfara did not receive as much federal funding as it has under Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration in just two years.
Meanwhile, the Zamfara State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) recently held a press briefing to protest the sackings. The union accused the governor of dismissing more than 8,000 workers and failing to implement the national minimum wage in the state.
The minority caucus in the house of representatives has condemned the killing of 16 Kano-bound hunters in Edo state.
On Thursday, a mob in the Uromi area of Edo killed 16 hunters of northern descent who were travelling from Elele, Rivers state.
The travellers were attacked and lynched after some vigilance group members raised the alarm on suspicion that they were kidnappers.
The Edo state government said 14 suspects arrested in connection with the killing would be transferred to Abuja for further interrogation.
During a visit to some of the families of the victims at Bankure LGA in Kano, Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo, assured that justice would be served.
In a statement issued on Monday, the minority caucus described the killing of the hunters as “barbaric”.
“We find such brutal killings of innocent Nigerians in any part of the country by lawless mobs very reprehensible, and if allowed to fester without being put in check by responsible organs of the federal government, such actions could threaten the peace and unity of the country,” the statement reads.
The lawmakers asked Nigerians never to resort to jungle attacks on fellow citizens but to always report any concerns to security agencies.
“We are a nation under the rule of laws, and our law enforcement agencies are always available to partner with every Nigerian to assuage their concerns,” the caucus said.
While noting that the incident is “already setting emotions on edge” in parts of the country, the legislators urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the security agencies investigate this matter and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Also, adequate compensation should be paid to the affected families,” the caucus said.
The lawmakers implored Nigerians to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding and allow the federal and state governments to investigate the matter and ensure justice is served.
The statement was signed by Kingsley Chinda, minority leader; Ali Isa, minority whip; and Aliyu Madaki, deputy minority leader.
Seriake Dickson, senator representing Bayelsa west, has condemned the murder of 16 Kano-bound travellers in Edo state.
Describing the incident as “deeply painful”, the former Bayelsa governor warned that those who engage in ethnic profiling are risking a Rwanda-like tragedy in Nigeria.
The travellers were attacked and lynched after members of a vigilance group in Uromi suspected that they were kidnappers.
“There should be no collective criminalization or demonization of any group of Nigerians, ethnic profiling or reprisal attacks,” Dickson wrote on Facebook.
“That was why, when I was governor, even at the height of herdsmen crisis, we insisted on law and order, and made sure that Bayelsa State was safe and free for everyone subject to the laws of the state.
“Those who profile Nigerians according to ethnic group, and criminalize and insult whole tribes are inviting the Rwandan experience which I always preach against. We must isolate and punish criminals wherever they are found and whoever they are.
“In Nigeria, everyone has a right to freedom of movement and should be protected. Everyone has the right to go about their business and feel safe while doing so.
“I call on all leaders to de-escalate tensions and work for unity and mutual coexistence of all Nigerians founded on justice and respect for the rights of all citizens as guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution and laws.”
Commending the “proactive steps taken” by Monday Okpebholo, Edo governor, Dickson called on the state government and security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the killings and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
He also demanded compensation for families of the victims.