By: Abdullahi Inuwa
It was a moment of relief and renewed hope for thousands of households across Yobe State as Governor Mai Mala Buni flagged off the distribution of 50,000 bags of assorted grains to vulnerable persons. The event, which took place in Damaturu on September 22, was more than just a government gesture — it was a lifeline for families struggling to survive in the wake of floods, harsh farming conditions, and the annual hunger gap between planting and harvest.
Speaking at the launch, Governor Buni declared that the intervention aligned with his administration’s vision to ensure food security and build resilience against natural disasters. He expressed his sympathy for families devastated by this year’s flood disaster, noting that the state government is fully aware of the economic and emotional toll of such calamities.
“Government is conscious of the challenges posed by such calamities, and the difficulties that usually accompany the farming circle between planting and harvesting seasons when farmers have invested and exhausted their food stock, while the new crops are not ready for harvest,” Buni said.
“Our administration is committed to providing succour at such challenging moments to support our people, mitigate the impact of the floods, restore hope and overcome these challenges with dignity.”
The distribution was carefully structured to cover different sectors of society. Among the beneficiaries were 5,580 primary school teachers, 1,780 primary healthcare workers, 2,400 persons with special needs, 1,200 Tsangaya Mallams, and vulnerable persons under the umbrella of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Others who benefited include 2,000 junior cadre civil servants, 2,000 staff of tertiary institutions, 600 staff of teaching and specialist hospitals, and a massive 25,500 vulnerable persons spread across the state’s 17 local government areas.
This wide coverage ensured that the grains reached not just the poorest in society but also essential workers who keep critical services running, even while facing their own financial and food-related struggles.
Governor Buni used the occasion to reaffirm his government’s commitment to agriculture as the backbone of Yobe’s economic future. He emphasized that beyond emergency interventions, the state is scaling up investments in irrigation farming and agricultural development.
“These interventions would continue to receive government attention with much emphasis on irrigation farming to boost agricultural productivity for food sufficiency, food security and economic prosperity of our citizenry,” he said.
The governor also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which prioritizes food security nationally. He pledged that Yobe would not only aim for self-sufficiency but also contribute significantly to the country’s food basket.
The governor’s intervention did not go unnoticed. Dr. Muhammad Goje, Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), applauded Buni’s leadership, describing the support as “unprecedented” in the state’s history.
Similarly, development and humanitarian partners, including the World Food Programme, commended Yobe’s proactive measures in cushioning the hardships faced by vulnerable households. For many observers, the collaboration between the state government, SEMA, and global partners is a model for other states in Nigeria.
“I am also glad to state that the proactive and collaborative efforts of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) with development and humanitarian partners in providing timely interventions to safeguard lives and protect livelihoods have been valuable and commendable,” Governor Buni remarked.
Flooding has been one of the major setbacks for farmers in Yobe this year, washing away crops and leaving many communities displaced. As the governor noted, the distribution of grains is not only a response to current hunger but a buffer to help families recover until the next harvest season.
The sight of trucks loaded with maize, millet, rice, and sorghum rolling into Damaturu and other local government headquarters brought visible relief to residents. For widows, orphans, persons with disabilities, and low-income earners, this intervention could mean the difference between hunger and survival.
In a related development, Governor Buni issued a stern directive to traders allocated shops in the Senator Geidam Modern Market, Damaturu. He urged them to open their shops immediately and commence business activities or risk forfeiting their allocations.
The governor stressed that the modern market was established to boost economic activities in the state capital and enhance livelihoods. Keeping the shops locked, he said, defeats the purpose of government investment.
For analysts, Governor Buni’s distribution of 50,000 bags of grains goes beyond philanthropy. It reflects a balancing act between emergency response and long-term planning. By addressing immediate hunger while investing in irrigation farming and agricultural resilience, his administration seeks to protect both lives and livelihoods.
The intervention also highlights the governor’s political will to integrate various social groups — from teachers and healthcare workers to people with disabilities and religious communities — in the fight against hunger.
At a time when many Nigerians are grappling with rising food prices and insecurity, the Yobe example stands out as a beacon of what is possible when government, humanitarian partners, and communities work together.
For the beneficiaries, however, the story is simpler. Each bag of grain represents meals on the table, children fed, and the reassurance that in their most difficult times, they are not forgotten.
Abdullahi Inuwa Social Commentator ainuwa303@gmail.com
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