Ramadan: NEDC distributes food items to orphans, widows, others in Borno
By Ladi Dapson Maiduguri
The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has launched a massive distribution of food and non-food items to vulnerable groups during the Muslim Ramadan in Maiduguri, Borno State, and its surroundings.
Speaking at the event, Goni Mohammed Alkali, the Managing Director/CEO of NEDC during flagging off of the items held in Maiduguri at weekend, said the gesture underscored the commission’s commitments to alleviating the sufferings and hardships of the people during the fasting period in the region.
The beneficiaries include: orphans, widows, persons with disabilities, women groups, youths, vigilante groups, commercial riders and drivers, security agents, traditional rulers, state and national assembly members, local and state governments, and other organizations.
Some of the items distributed include:- 7,000 bags of rice, 5,000 cartons of spaghetti, 7,000 cartons of vegetable oil and non-food items: 4,000 pieces of blankets, 5,000 pieces of mats, 4,000 pieces of wrappers, 5,000 pieces of Shadsah materials
In his words, “we are directed to hand over these food and non food items to the people living with disabilities, widows, orphans and orphanages.
“Others include security agents, Emir’s and chiefs, the police, military, Civilian JTF, Vigilante groups, FITYANUL ISLAM, Izala, Ansaruddeen, FOMWA, commercial riders and drivers associations and unions among others,” Alkali said.
He noted that the commission has also extended relief items to 7,197 persons affected with flood challenges because of the Ramadan fast.
“The commission decided to reach to all the people and groups or organizations but we are starting today with the vulnerable groups like orphans, widows and persons with disabilities before continuing with other groups like the security formations, traditional rulers, clubs, unions and associations.
“We are also distributing the same food and non food items to the people and organizations in other states of the North East, namely, Taraba, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe and Borno states respectively. We did the same thing last year.” He emphasized.
While this year, we have expanded the programme to include other people and groups including the legislatures and royal fathers as well as security agencies to enable them reach their people also,” Mohammed said.
