The Federal Government has presented 42,000 metric tonnes of assorted food commodities to the Kano State Government for distribution to vulnerable residents.

The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Hajiya Zubaida Umar, handed over the items to Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf on Monday in Kano.

Represented by Dr. Ishaya Isah-Chonoko, NEMA Acting Zonal Director for the Northwest, Umar stated that the donation was part of the federal government’s effort to mitigate the high cost of food in the country.

“President Bola Ahmed approved the release of 42,000 metric tonnes of assorted food commodities from the National Strategic Reserve in fulfilment of his promise to reduce the impact of the current economic downturn in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda,” she said.

The food items, including 19,360 bags of 50kg maize, 26,400 bags of 50kg sorghum, and 8,360 bags of 50kg millet, were handed over to the state government for distribution to the identified deserving beneficiaries through local committees.

Umar highlighted that “20% of the food items due to each LGA would be given to religious organizations while boarding schools in each LGA would receive 3% of the food items.”

Additionally, Umar alerted Governor Kabir-Yusuf to the 2024 Seasonal Climate and annual flood predictions, noting that 25 states and 72 local government areas, including several in Kano State, are at high risk of flooding. She urged the state to prepare proactively by conducting public awareness campaigns, identifying high grounds for potential IDP camps, and clearing drainages.

In response, Governor Kabir-Yusuf expressed gratitude to the federal government for supporting the needy and vulnerable in Kano. He assured that the food items would significantly alleviate economic hardship across the state’s 44 local government areas. Kabir-Yusuf also commended NEMA officials and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, for their support.

He called on local government committees to comply with federal directives in distributing the food items and urged beneficiaries to use the items wisely