Katsina State Government has unveiled an humanitarian initiative to provide food assistance to over two million vulnerable residents during Ramadan. The program, spearheaded by Governor Umaru Dikko Radda, represents a significant effort to address food insecurity among disadvantaged populations throughout the holy month.
The initiative was formally announced as the governor launched a special empowerment program benefiting 7,220 widows across the state’s 34 local government areas. As part of the initial rollout, 840 widows from Batagarawa, Katsina, Rimi, and Kaita local governments received 25kg bags of rice alongside cash support to sustain their families during Ramadan.
“We are committed to ensuring that vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, do not go hungry during this sacred month,” Governor Radda stated during the launch. “Our goal is to reach over two million residents with food assistance to ease their burden.” The governor emphasized that beneficiaries should utilize the support for their families’ nourishment rather than selling the provisions.
Sheikh Isah Dubai, Commissioner for Religious Affairs, praised the initiative as being in harmony with Islamic principles regarding care for the disadvantaged. He highlighted the Community Development Programme’s role in ensuring equitable distribution by selecting 20 widows from each ward across all 34 councils.
In a related development, the state government released a second consignment of over 5,000 rice bags for the remaining fifteen days of Ramadan under the Special Ramadan Feeding Programme. During an address to the program’s Steering Committee, State House of Assembly Speaker Alhaji Nasiru Yahya Daura acknowledged the committee members’ dedication to ensuring fair distribution, noting that “possible problems detected would now be rectified.”
Alhaji Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir, Chief of Staff to the Governor, reminded committee members that “the trust bestowed on them requires total sacrifice and commitment for the success of government humanitarian gesture.” He added that the state government had carefully analyzed the program to ensure processed food effectively reaches intended beneficiaries.
The Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu Taraji, provided details on the items and funding allocated for the program, confirming that “delivery of the food items would be completed before the fifteenth day of Ramadan.” He encouraged stakeholders to contribute to the program’s success, emphasizing that “government is more committed to supporting vulnerable people in the state.”
Taraji also noted that this commitment prompted the launch of another special package for 7,220 identified widows and vulnerable women, with each receiving 25 kilograms of rice and a stipend of N10,000.
State Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy, Malam Bashir Tanimu Gambo, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Ya’u Umar Gwajo Gwajo, expressed appreciation to the governor for implementing additional policies designed to support ordinary citizens during this challenging economic period.
