FG flags off presidential emergency food, nutrition distribution in Adamawa
The Federal Government on Tuesday formally flagged off the distribution of Presidential Emergency Food and Nutrition items to vulnerable households in Adamawa State, describing the intervention as a critical step towards cushioning the effects of food insecurity and humanitarian shocks in the Northeast.
The ceremony, held in Yola, brought together federal and state officials, development partners, traditional leaders and beneficiaries, with the Adamawa State Government pledging transparency and efficiency in the distribution process.
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Representing Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the Commissioner for Reconstruction, Reintegration and Rehabilitation (RRR), Bello Hammandiram, welcomed the federal delegation and expressed appreciation to the Presidency for what he described as a timely intervention.
“On behalf of my boss, the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, I welcome the Honourable Minister and his entourage. We thank the Office of the President for this well-thought mission to salvage the most vulnerable people of the state,” he said.
Hammandiram noted that the scale of beneficiaries reflected the depth of humanitarian challenges in the state, stressing that supporting vulnerable residents amounted to strengthening entire communities.
“Salvaging this number of people is as good as salvaging the community of Adamawa State, because the number is not small,” he added, assuring that once the flag-off was completed, remaining items would be distributed efficiently to approved beneficiaries.
He also acknowledged previous federal support to the Adamawa Specialist Hospital and commended ongoing collaboration between both tiers of government.
In his remarks, the Director of Reforms at the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Ifeanyiwa Ekwazor, who represented the Permanent Secretary, said the intervention was more than a routine relief exercise.
“Today’s event represents more than the distribution of relief supplies. It is a practical demonstration of government’s compassion, responsiveness and unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable Nigerians,” she stated.
Ekwazor highlighted Adamawa’s protracted humanitarian situation, citing insurgency, displacement, flooding and climate-related shocks as factors that have disrupted farming activities, eroded livelihoods and heightened food insecurity.
“The cumulative effect has been rising poverty levels, malnutrition among children and increased vulnerability among women, the elderly and persons living with disabilities,” he said.
She explained that the initiative was being implemented under the Presidential Emergency Food and Nutrition Support programme in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, despite fiscal constraints and reductions in global humanitarian funding.
Also speaking, Ms. Uju Rochas, who represented Vice President Kashim Shettima, said the approval of N25 billion for emergency food and nutrition interventions nationwide sent a clear message to vulnerable Nigerians.
“That message is that you are seen, you matter and you are not forgotten,” she said, noting that food security was closely tied to national security and human capital development.
Rochas emphasized that while emergency relief was essential, long-term resilience must remain the ultimate goal.
“Emergency support must never become permanent dependency. We must move from distribution to production and from assistance to empowerment,” she said.
Flagging off the distribution, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, described Adamawa as occupying a “uniquely sensitive humanitarian position” due to years of insurgency and climate-related disasters.
He referenced the activities of Boko Haram and other armed groups, which displaced thousands and destroyed livelihoods, compounding poverty and malnutrition in rural communities.
“Beyond immediate relief, we are driving a deeper reform of Nigeria’s humanitarian and poverty reduction architecture,” the minister said, outlining the ministry’s “One Humanitarian, One Poverty Response System,” aimed at linking beneficiaries to broader social protection programmes, including conditional cash transfers and livelihood restoration initiatives.
