The Federal Government on Wednesday flagged off the Presidential Emergency Food and Nutrition Support intervention in Yobe State, reaffirming its commitment to tackling food insecurity and rebuilding resilience in conflict-affected communities across the North-East.
The ceremony, held in Damaturu, was led by the Honourable Minister of State for the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, who described the initiative as a strategic response to the protracted humanitarian crisis in the region.
Dr. Sununu said years of insurgency and violent extremism have displaced thousands of families, disrupted livelihoods and weakened household resilience in Yobe and neighbouring states. He added that climate-related challenges such as desertification, erratic rainfall and flooding have further diminished agricultural productivity in the largely agrarian state, deepening food insecurity and poverty.
Despite a reduction in support from some international development partners, the Minister stressed that the Federal Government remains steadfast in ensuring that vulnerable Nigerians are not left to shoulder the consequences of funding gaps.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising social protection and humanitarian response under the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the emergency intervention reflects the administration’s commitment to protecting the dignity and welfare of poor and vulnerable citizens.
Dr. Sununu also praised Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, for fostering strong collaboration with the Federal Government to ensure effective implementation of humanitarian programmes. He acknowledged the role of the Emir of Damaturu, Shehu Hashimi II Ibn Umar El-Kanemi, in promoting peace, transparency and community mobilisation.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, explained that the distribution exercise forms part of the Presidential Initiative for Emergency Food and Nutrition Support aimed at addressing food insecurity and malnutrition in the most conflict-affected northern states.
He said the intervention in Yobe includes the distribution of food items, nutrition commodities and essential medical supplies to internally displaced persons (IDPs), vulnerable returnees, women-headed households, malnourished children, the elderly and persons with disabilities.
Olusanya reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to transparency and accountability, noting that structured systems have been put in place in partnership with the Yobe State Government to ensure proper beneficiary targeting and functional feedback mechanisms. Beyond immediate relief, he said, the initiative seeks to stabilise households, promote early recovery and build long-term resilience.
In his remarks, Governor Buni expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its sustained support for Yobe’s recovery efforts. He disclosed that the state had launched Nigeria’s first State Policy on Internally Displaced Persons, backed by budgetary allocation and integrated into its 25-Year Development Plan.
The governor further revealed that the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency, recently conducted a registration exercise for asylum seekers in Geidam Local Government Area, documenting 488 households comprising 1,699 individuals.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to data-driven humanitarian coordination and continuous registration of vulnerable persons to ensure that no one is left undocumented or unsupported. Governor Buni also urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the distributed items and called on stakeholders to uphold integrity, compassion and unity throughout the implementation process.
The ceremony ended with the official declaration of the distribution exercise, signalling renewed hope and strengthened partnership between the Federal and Yobe State Governments in advancing food security, resilience and sustainable poverty reduction across the state.
