Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, has flagged off the distribution of Presidential Emergency Food and Nutrition Items in Borno State. A move aimed at providing immediate relief to vulnerable households affected by conflict, displacement, and economic hardship. This was as contained in a statement signed by
In his address, Dr. Doro stated that the initiative is a deliberate, coordinated effort to stabilise nutrition, protect lives and restore hope to the affected populations. “Today’s intervention is a decisive step, not only emergency relief; it is a deliberate, coordinated effort to stabilise nutrition, protect lives, and restore hope,” Dr. Doro stated at the flag-off ceremony held at Ramat Square, Maiduguri, on Thursday, 5th January 2026.
The Hon. Minister emphasized that the Presidential Emergency Food and Nutrition Intervention covers 10 states in Northern Nigeria, including Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Benue, Niger, Plateau, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi. Nationwide, the Federal Government has approved and mobilized significant quantities of food items, including rice, beans, millet, maize, groundnut oil, palm oil, tom brown, tomato paste, seasoning cubes, salt, and assorted essential medicines. “This scale reflects the seriousness of Government’s commitment to food security, nutrition stabilization, and humanitarian protection”.
Speaking further, Dr. Doro revealed that the Borno state has been allocated 8,565 bags of millet, 8,565 bags of rice, 8,565 bags of maize, 8,565 units of groundnut oil, 1,429 cartons of palm oil, 8,565 units of tom brown, 171 cartons of tomato paste, 611 cartons of seasoning cubes, 107 bags of salt, and assorted essential medicines. He explained that the allocation is based on the state’s humanitarian needs and the number of vulnerable households.
Dr. Doro commended the people of Borno for their strength and perseverance, saying, “To the people of Borno, I commend your strength and perseverance. This support represents sustenance, dignity, and renewed hope.” He also commended the Security Agencies, Development Partners, Community leaders, and Frontline Workers for their continued support to the humanitarian efforts in Borno State. He urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure the success of the distribution exercise
He equally urged the beneficiaries to utilize the food and nutrition items judiciously to support their households, especially children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
He assured that the distribution process will be monitored closely to ensure that the food items reach the intended beneficiaries.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, welcomed participants to the event, stating that it marks a significant step in the collective efforts to address food insecurity and humanitarian needs among the most vulnerable populations. He emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that the distribution process is transparent, fair, and accountable.
The Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji (Dr) Umar Usman Kadafur, expressed profound gratitude to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the initiative, highlighting its impact on food security and nutrition in the state. He noted that the intervention is a timely and compassionate response to the prevailing humanitarian and nutritional challenges faced by vulnerable households across the state. “This intervention is a timely and compassionate response to the prevailing humanitarian and nutritional challenges faced by vulnerable households across our state.”
Alhaji Kadafur emphasized that food security is not merely a social obligation; it is a moral imperative and a cornerstone of sustainable peace and development. He assured stakeholders that the distribution would be carried out with transparency, fairness, and accountability, ensuring that the intended beneficiaries receive this support without discrimination.
The Deputy Governor, also urged beneficiaries to utilize the food and nutrition items judiciously to support their households, especially children, pregnant women, and the elderly. He assured that the state government would work closely with the Federal Government and other stakeholders to ensure that the distribution process is successful and reaches the intended beneficiaries
The distribution is expected to bring relief to the affected populations and contribute to the overall efforts to address food insecurity and humanitarian needs in the state.
The distribution exercise is expected to cover all the local government areas in Borno State.
Others present at the event include: Secretary to Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani, Hon. Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrant and Internally Displaced Persons, Hon. Ahmed Tijani, Hon. Commissioners, Directors from the FMHAPR and representatives from Development Partners.
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