In a strong New Year gesture aimed at easing economic pressures and reinforcing grassroots welfare, Mai Mala Buni, on Wednesday, rolled out a major food support programme for 2,000 beneficiaries across Yobe State.
The beneficiaries include tricycle (Keke) riders, GSM phone repairers, and other vulnerable groups, who received food baskets as part of the state government’s New Year social intervention initiative, marking Governor Buni’s first major public welfare action of 2026.
Flagging off the distribution, Governor Buni said the programme was designed to support hardworking citizens in the informal sector, whose daily survival depends on unstable income, while also cushioning the impact of rising living costs at the start of the year.
“These are people who keep our towns moving and our communities connected. Supporting them is not charity; it is a responsibility of government,” the governor stated.
According to him, the intervention reflects his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, ensuring that relief efforts reach not only civil servants but also artisans, transport operators, and families living on the margins.
Community leaders and representatives of the beneficiary groups praised the initiative, describing it as timely and humane, especially as many households struggle to recover from the economic strain of the festive season.
The New Year food support scheme, officials said, will be sustained alongside other social protection and empowerment programmes as the Buni administration continues to prioritise poverty reduction, social stability, and community resilience in Yobe State.
As 2026 begins, the message from Government House was clear: the year has opened with relief, empathy, and people-focused governance.
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