Katsina State Government in North West Nigeria, has strengthened its partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to deliver critical assistance to 14,694 vulnerable individuals within the state.
This collaborative initiative is designed to alleviate the challenges faced by those in dire circumstances, especially those who have been displaced or affected by crises.
Speaking at the official launch of Phase Two of the World Food Programme Stabilisation Project in Katsina, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda outlined the state’s initiatives in addressing the needs of vulnerable families.
He noted that Katsina is one of the few states that has domesticated the federal government’s approach to supporting vulnerable and poor households, following the establishment of Katsina Social Investment Programme Agency (KASIPA), coordinating the state’s operating unit and cash transfer unit.
Governor Radda reiterated his administration’s dedication to supporting victims of banditry, cattle rustling, and kidnapping, as well as providing empowerment programmes for widows and other vulnerable individuals.
He expressed gratitude to the ECOWAS Commission, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, and the World Food Programme for their invaluable contributions to the project.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Abel Enitan, disclosed that a total of 14,694 vulnerable individuals from Katsina and Sokoto states would benefit from the second phase of the project.
He aligned the initiative with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda and acknowledged the support of development partners and the Katsina State Government.
Professor Badamasi Lawal Charanchi, Executive Secretary and Chief Executive of the Social Investment Agency, expressed appreciation for the collaboration between the humanitarian organisations and their efforts to support vulnerable families in the state.
The Nigerian Permanent Representative to the ECOWAS Commission, Ambassador Nuhu Musa, stated that the World Food Programme is one of the many initiatives undertaken by ECOWAS to positively impact the lives of citizens. He pinpointed that the organisation has diverse interventions in health, education, and infrastructure across member states.
Amb. Musa highlighted the intervention’s role in addressing the severe food security situation in northwestern Nigeria, caused by various factors.
In his address of welcome, Dr. Mudasir Nasir, Executive Director of the State Social Investment Programme Agency, disclosed that 7,347 vulnerable and elderly individuals from Katsina and Jibia local governments would benefit from the humanitarian programme. Of this number, 1,675 would receive cash support, 1,414, including pregnant women, would be provided with food, and 150 disabled individuals and elderly men and women would receive assistance.