The Ogun State government flagged off the distribution of food items to vulnerable people in the state on Friday.

The exercise, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, through the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, saw the distribution of maize, garri and sorghum.

Governor Dapo Abiodun, while speaking at the exercise held at the Agricultural Development Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, said the programme was part of his administration’s efforts to alleviate the suffering of the masses in the state.

The governor, who was represented by Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele, stressed that the initiative goes beyond commitment to delivering hope and security but symbolises the commitment to the principles of equity and compassion for which his administration was known.

He appreciated NEMA for its support and assured the people of his administration’s continuous efforts to give succour and fulfil his promises to the people before and during the electioneering period.

At this economically challenging time, our administration is concerned with the duty we have as leaders to ensure the welfare of our citizens, especially those who face the greatest hardship. The lingering economic situation has brought unprecedented challenges to citizens, and we have the resilience and solidarity as a nation to go through to a happier and safer ending,” he said.

In her remarks, the Director General of NEMA, Mrs Subaida Umar, represented by the Zonal Director of the agency, Mr Stephen Adewale, said the programme was in line with the “Renewed Hope” agenda of President Bola Tinubu of reducing the impact of the current economic downturn being experienced by Nigerians.

She disclosed that 42, 000 metric tonnes of food commodities were released from the National Strategic Reserve under the custody of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

She noted that the state has 780 metric tonnes of maize, equivalent to 15, 600 bags of 50kg and 94 metric tonnes of gari, which is 3, 760 bags of 25kg.

Earlier, the Ogun State Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Funmi Efuwape, appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the palliative programme, saying it would go a long way to ameliorate the sufferings of the vulnerable in the state.

Responding on behalf of other local government chairmen, the chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Emilola Gazal, lauded the initiative and pledged that the food items would reach the identified group through the constituted committees in each local government area of the state.