Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Federal Government has flagged off the distribution of Presidential Emergency Food and Nutrition Support to vulnerable households in Plateau State, reinforcing national efforts to address food insecurity and strengthen humanitarian response systems across the country. The event took place on Monday, 9th March, 2026 at the Government House Little Rayfield, Jos, Plateau State. This was contained in a statement signed by Chinyere A .Ulasi, Head, Information and Public Relations Unit.
Speaking during the flag-off in Jos, the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, said the intervention reflects the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda to support vulnerable Nigerians and create sustainable pathways out of poverty.
Dr. Doro described the event as both professionally significant and personally meaningful, noting that Plateau State played an important role in shaping his values and commitment to public service. “Returning home in my capacity as a Minister of the Federal Republic to deliver this intervention is both a professional responsibility and a deeply personal duty. Plateau is not just my home; it is part of the story that shaped who I am,” he said.
Hon. Minister explained that, climate-related disruptions, insecurity and displacement have continued to strain household livelihoods and food systems across many communities, with women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities among the most affected.
He said the food and nutrition support initiative is designed to provide immediate relief to vulnerable households while linking them to long-term government social protection and economic empowerment programmes.
Dr. Doro highlighted the Federal Government’s reform initiative under the One Humanitarian–One Poverty Response System (OHOPRS), which integrates humanitarian interventions with sustainable poverty reduction programmes.
According to him, beneficiaries of the emergency assistance will be connected to broader government initiatives including conditional cash transfers, livelihood restoration programmes, agricultural productivity support, skills development initiatives and micro-enterprise financing.
“Our objective is clear: to break the cycle of recurring humanitarian dependency and move vulnerable households toward resilience, stability and long-term prosperity,” the Minister stated.
He also disclosed that the Federal Government is expanding the National Social Register (NSR) to improve the identification of vulnerable households and ensure they are effectively linked to federal social protection programmes.
Dr. Doro assured that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction will work closely with the Plateau State Government to ensure that eligible beneficiaries are captured in the register and integrated into additional support initiatives.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, said the programme forms part of the Presidential Initiative for Emergency Food and Nutrition Assistance targeting states facing food insecurity and nutrition challenges.
He explained that humanitarian needs in Plateau State have been intensified by security challenges, communal conflicts and climate-related pressures that have disrupted farming activities and household livelihoods in several communities.
In his remarks, the Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, described the intervention as timely support for citizens during ongoing economic reforms.
Using a local analogy, the Governor noted that when children are hungry while food is still cooking, parents often provide something small to sustain them while they wait for the main meal.
“This intervention represents immediate relief for vulnerable Nigerians as broader economic reforms begin to produce lasting results,” he said.
Governor Mutfwang reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening agricultural production, disclosing that the government has procured significant quantities of fertilizer to be distributed to farmers at subsidized rates across all local government areas.
He added that Plateau State will continue to strengthen its role as one of Nigeria’s major food-producing states.
Also speaking at the event, the immediate past Hon. Minister, FMHAPR and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, commended President Tinubu for prioritizing social protection initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable Nigerians across multiple sectors.
The highlights of the ceremony were the symbolic flag-off of the distribution exercise, during which selected beneficiaries received food and nutrition support items. Also visit to the Plateau State Specialist Hospital and the Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jankwano for the delivery of essential Food items and drugs.
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