Emmanuel Daudu
The Federal Government has launched the distribution of Presidential Emergency Food and Nutrition Items in Sokoto State, targeting 20,000 vulnerable households in a renewed push to tackle food insecurity, malnutrition, and poverty across the country.
The flag-off ceremony, held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at the Government House in Sokoto, marked a significant step in the Federal Government’s emergency humanitarian response under the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
Speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, described the intervention as a clear demonstration of the President’s commitment to safeguarding the dignity and wellbeing of vulnerable Nigerians, particularly women, children, the elderly, and Persons Living With Disabilities (PWDs).
Dr. Sununu commended Sokoto State Governor, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, for his strong collaboration with the Federal Government. He noted that despite being out of the country on official engagements, the Governor returned to personally host and participate in the programme, underscoring his dedication to humanitarian service and intergovernmental partnership.
According to the Minister, the initiative will provide essential food items and specialized nutrition commodities to 20,000 vulnerable households across the state. The intervention also includes supplies for the treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) among children.
He disclosed that therapeutic nutrition materials would be delivered immediately to Specialist and General Hospitals across Sokoto State to strengthen ongoing treatment efforts.
Dr. Sununu explained that the programme was initiated following projections that millions of Nigerians could face extreme hunger due to economic shocks, climate change, insecurity, and a reduction in international humanitarian funding.
He stressed that the Tinubu administration remains committed to people-centered governance, ensuring that no Nigerian goes hungry regardless of circumstance.
Beyond emergency relief, the Minister added that the Ministry is advancing sustainable and localized humanitarian solutions, including livelihood support, skills acquisition, agricultural recovery initiatives, and community-based resilience programmes for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and host communities.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry highlighted that rising humanitarian needs and funding gaps from scaled-down international support necessitated the intervention.
He affirmed that the Federal Government approved the initiative to bridge critical gaps and sustain life-saving assistance in affected states, including Sokoto.
He urged all stakeholders involved in the distribution process to uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, equity, and compassion to ensure the items reach intended beneficiaries.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, in his address, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction for prioritizing the welfare of vulnerable citizens.
Describing the intervention as compassionate and responsive leadership in action, the Governor said his administration has consistently placed the wellbeing of citizens at the center of its development agenda.
He assured that the state government would ensure effective coordination and dignified distribution of the items across all three senatorial districts Sokoto Central, Sokoto East, and Sokoto North.
Reaffirming the state’s commitment to federal humanitarian initiatives, the Governor pledged strengthened social protection mechanisms for vulnerable households.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Hajia Asabe Balarabe, described the event as timely, noting that the state government has been intensifying efforts to improve the welfare of vulnerable groups.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), a representative of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, as well as the Special Adviser to the Sokoto State Government on IDPs and Resident Communities.
The event was attended by key federal and state government officials, development partners, security agencies, traditional rulers, and community stakeholders.
The distribution exercise commenced in Sokoto Central Senatorial District and will extend to Sokoto East and Sokoto North, reinforcing the Federal Government’s broader commitment to improving the quality of life of Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable.
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