Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin has launched the distribution of 19 truckloads of rice palliatives provided by the federal government to the 44 local government areas of Kano State.
The flag-off ceremony took place on Sunday in Kano, where Senator Barau emphasized the federal government’s commitment to supporting vulnerable Nigerians amid the ongoing economic challenges.
Senator Barau stated that the rice distribution is part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader effort to alleviate hunger and economic hardship caused by global disruptions, including the Ukraine-Russia war and other international conflicts like the Israel-Palestine situation.
He highlighted that these conflicts have exacerbated the global economic crisis, affecting food security worldwide, including Nigeria.
“We all know that from the beginning of his administration, President Bola Tinubu started with economic challenges not peculiar to Nigeria but a worldwide incident,” said Senator Barau.
He noted that the economic difficulties have prompted the president to initiate various palliative measures aimed at mitigating the impact of these global issues on Nigerian citizens, particularly the vulnerable populations in both rural and urban areas.
The Deputy Senate President acknowledged that earlier attempts to distribute palliatives faced logistical challenges, prompting a restructuring of the distribution process to ensure the aid reaches those in need at the grassroots level.
The new distribution framework involves setting up committees across states, including Kano, to oversee the fair and efficient allocation of resources. “We are taking these food items down to the grassroots so that it will reach those who actually need it,” Barau stated.
During the event, Senator Barau commended President Tinubu for his proactive approach to addressing Nigeria’s economic difficulties and urged Nigerians to unite in supporting the president’s efforts. He called for collective action, regardless of political, religious, or geographical differences, to tackle the nation’s challenges together.
“This is how it is done all over the world; people come together to solve their problems irrespective of their political, religious or geopolitical differences. Nigeria cannot be an exception,” he added.
The rice distribution initiative is part of a broader set of palliative measures introduced by the Tinubu administration to cushion the impact of rising food prices and inflation. The federal government’s approach aims to provide direct support to the most affected communities, ensuring that relief reaches those who are most in need.
The launch in Kano has been met with enthusiasm from the local communities, with many expressing hope that the palliatives will provide much-needed relief. The initiative reflects the federal government’s ongoing commitment to addressing food insecurity and supporting vulnerable populations during these challenging times.
As the distribution proceeds, oversight committees will continue to monitor the process to ensure transparency and accountability, addressing any issues that may arise to optimize the impact of the palliative measures.