Food items distributed to the beneficiaries in Plateau
Federal Government on Monday flagged off the distribution of food and nutrition assistance to vulnerable households in Plateau State as part of efforts to cushion the impact of economic hardship and rising food insecurity.
The intervention, implemented through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction in collaboration with the Plateau State Government, was launched at the New Government House in Jos with beneficiaries drawn from the 17 local government areas of the state.
Speaking during the flag-off, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, described the programme as part of a broader national strategy to address poverty and support vulnerable Nigerians.
“Returning home in my capacity as a minister to deliver this intervention is both a professional responsibility and a deeply personal one. Plateau is not just my home; it is part of the story that shaped who I am,” the minister said.
He added that the food and nutrition assistance programme goes beyond providing immediate relief.
“This intervention is not just about food on the table today; it is about restoring dignity, rebuilding livelihoods, and ensuring that vulnerable Nigerians can move from humanitarian assistance to lasting economic opportunity,” Doro stated.
The minister further disclosed that beneficiaries would be integrated into the National Social Register to enable them access a wider range of Federal Government social protection and poverty reduction programmes.
In his remarks, Governor Caleb Mutfwang commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising support for vulnerable Nigerians amid ongoing economic reforms.
“Many of the economic reforms introduced by Mr. President are well-intentioned and, by the grace of God, they will yield the desired fruits. But in the meantime, Mr. President recognizes the need to ensure that while people are waiting for the bigger results, they do not go hungry,” the governor said.
He likened the intervention to a temporary relief measure designed to support households grappling with economic pressures.
“All mothers know that when they are cooking food and the children become hungry before the meal is ready, they look for something for the children to chew first before the main food is served. That is exactly what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done through this intervention,” he added.
Mutfwang noted that the state government was also pursuing long-term strategies to strengthen food security and empower farmers across the state.
“Beyond these interventions, we must help our people learn how to fish and not just give them fish to eat. That is why this season we are procuring an unprecedented number of trucks of fertilizer which will be provided at subsidized rates to farmers across all local government areas,” he said.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, said the programme was conceived as a special intervention to support vulnerable and malnourished communities.
“Today, I am one of the most fulfilled persons because this project was my baby. I secured the funding for it as a special intervention programme approved by Mr. President to support vulnerable and malnourished communities,” he said.
Yilwatda commended the current minister for sustaining the programme as originally designed.
“The person who succeeded me ensured that the programme was implemented exactly as it was designed. Nothing was reversed,” he added.
Highlighting the Federal Government’s social protection efforts, the APC chairman said millions of Nigerians were already benefiting from various interventions.
“Social protection is one of the key pillars of this administration. Over seven million households have received support, impacting about thirty-five million Nigerians,” he stated.
The distribution exercise targets widows, the elderly, persons living with disabilities and other vulnerable groups affected by food insecurity across Plateau State.
