The federal government, on Tuesday in Yola, inaugurated the distribution of presidential emergency food and nutrition items to thousands of vulnerable people across the three senatorial zones of Adamawa.

Bernard Doro, the minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty reduction, said the exercise aimed to cushion the immediate effects of food insecurity and stabilise affected households.

“This distribution exercise is a decisive step to cushion the immediate effects of food insecurity and stabilise affected households.

“The government of Nigeria stands firmly with its citizens in moments of vulnerability,” he said.

Mr Doro added that beyond immediate relief, the government was pursuing reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s humanitarian and poverty-reduction architecture.

He said beneficiaries of the food assistance would be linked to broader federal government social protection interventions, including conditional cash transfers.

Other interventions, Mr Doro said, include livelihood restoration programmes, skills-acquisition initiatives, agricultural productivity support, and micro-enterprise financing, aimed at restoring dignity and economic self-reliance.

According to him, the federal government is expanding and strengthening the National Social Register (NSR) to integrate vulnerable households into structured social protection systems nationwide.

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting vulnerable persons at the grassroots.

Mr Fintiri, represented by the state commissioner for reconstruction, rehabilitation, reintegration, and humanitarian services, Bello Hamman-Diram, described the intervention as timely and impactful.

He said the initiative aligned with the state’s humanitarian efforts through the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and assured us that the items would be distributed judiciously to targeted beneficiaries.

Faluma David, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, expressed appreciation to Mr Tinubu for the gesture, saying it meant a lot to them considering their circumstances.

Items distributed include rice, beans, vegetable oil, palm oil, seasoning cubes, and salt.

The event was attended by government officials, community leaders, and development partners.

(NAN)