In an effort to alleviate the hardship faced by residents of the state due to the rising cost of food items, the Jigawa State Executive Council has given approval to a Memorandum presented by the Ministry for Special Duties. This Memorandum seeks to procure additional grains to be used as palliatives for a special Ramadan Iftar Feeding Programme.
The special Ramadan Iftar (breaking of fast) feeding programme is slated to run for three weeks, benefiting approximately 3.8 million vulnerable individuals during the Ramadan period.
A committee has been inaugurated to oversee the special Iftar feeding programme. The essence of this committee is to ensure the programme’s success and supervise the effective distribution of food to the targeted population.
The Council has sanctioned the establishment of 609 feeding centers across the state, with a minimum of 2 centers in each of the 287 political wards. These centers will primarily cater to the poor and vulnerable segments of the population, with additional centers set up at each of the 10 Tertiary Institutions in the State.
Furthermore, the Council has agreed to provide three different food items to at least 300 people per centre, totaling 182,700 individuals per day statewide for a duration of three weeks. This initiative is expected to reach a total of 3,836,700 people throughout the Ramadan period.
To ensure broader coverage and fairness across all communities within each ward, it was decided that centres would be rotated within the ward throughout the Ramadan period.
Additionally, the Council has approved emergency procurement amounting to One Billion One Hundred Twenty-Five Million Naira (N1,125,000,000) for an additional 12,000 Bags of Rice and 15,000 Cartons of Spaghetti. This procurement aims to bolster food stocks in various State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) stores across the State, meeting the needs of the Subsidy Shop targeted for State Civil Servants.
Public opinion on the initiative
The news has sparked numerous reactions, particularly on Facebook, with many expressing dissatisfaction. Some individuals have criticized the initiative, alleging that it is a tactic to perpetuate dependence on the government among northerners. They argue that it is a political maneuver to secure votes during elections.
Others view the initiative as a superficial solution to the country’s broader issues, emphasizing the importance of job creation as a more substantial approach. Concerns have also been raised about the sustainability of the initiative beyond Ramadan.
These reactions underscore a growing frustration among Nigerians, indicating a desire for substantial change rather than temporary measures. There’s now a call for meaningful action to address the underlying challenges.
This places a greater responsibility on the government to ensure that citizens are equipped with opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.
