Katsina State government said that the Bank of Industry (BOI) has donated 3,850 bags of rice to it for distribution to vulnerable persons to cushion the effects of the economic hardship.
Speaking at the launch of the distribution on Tuesday in Katsina, Gov. Dikko Radda, said that the government has selected most vulnerable persons like physically challenged persons, widows and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) for the gesture.
He said that food security was a fundamental human right and the bedrock upon which prosperous community is build.
Radda explained that the programme was aimed at cushioning the challenges facing people as a result of the current economic crises.
“Countless families struggle daily for food. They are our neighbours, friends and fellow citizens.
“It is our collective responsibility to stand together and support one-another,” he said.
Radda revealed that his administration was committed to ensuring that palliative services were readily available to those in dire need.
According to him, that was why the government implemented various programmes to enhance the living conditions of the residents.
He thanked the BOI management for donating the food items to the state.
Radda also called on wealthy individuals and corporate organisations to emulate BOI and implement similar programmes to support the needy.
In her remarks, the Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Hajiya Binta Dangani, said that the agency had conducted a random sampling of the beneficiaries.
“Our staff selected the beneficiaries from the streets, who are in need of food in the state capital and other places.
“We are going to take some of the items to the IDPs in some of the insecurity affected local governments.
“We also collected names of some of the beneficiaries from the leaders of various disabled groups like cripples, blinds and lepers, among others,” she said.
Bilkisu Musa, one of the beneficiaries, thanked BOI for the gesture and urged others to emulate it to enhance the living conditions of the most vulnerable in the society. (NAN)
