By Esho Ayemoba in Benin
Perhaps in a different way to quench the raging hunger besieging the country, the Edo State Governor. Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has flagged off the Edo State Food Support Programme, in collaboration with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
The programme which is tagged the Christian Feeding Programme was designed to feed the poorest of the poor in the State, with a similar programme for the Muslim community slated to be launched in coming months. The modality however is still being finetuned.
Speaking at the flag off ceremony of the programme at the Baptist Convention Ground, TV Road, Benin City, the governor said the food programme is devoid of politics, noting “The number of people in the State who are not able to eat or have one meal a day was rising and I thought of how to solve this problem.
I approached CAN about two and half months ago on how to feed the poorest of the poor in the state. When people are sick and hungry they don’t come to the government house but rather go to their churches and mosques to seek assistance.
“This feeding programme is for the people as we are not playing politics with the programme.
We are doing this for God and can’t play politics with the things of God. I asked CAN to set up a committee not involving anyone from the government.
I am offering to give N1 billion a month and want to try this for three months. How many people can we feed and how can we reach the poorest of the poor in Edo State?
He added: “We are using our poverty map in Edo State and partnering with the church to reach the poorest of the poor in our various communities in the State. Today, we are launching the first phase to give palliative effort to care for the needy in our state.
“This will help us get information about those who are unable to feed, why they are not able to feed and what kind of opportunities can we create for them to enable us to truly lift them out of poverty?
He continued: “The rice, bagging, and transportation is all done here in Edo State to enable the resources to remain here. I want to thank the CAN Chairman, heads of blocs and committees for the work you have done. It shows you care for the people and this programme is a success. We are doing something similar for the muslims in the State because we want an all- inclusive Edo State.”
The Chairman of the Planning Committee of Edo State Food Support Programme and Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Edo State Chapter, Apostle Irkpono Omoike thanked the governor for reaching out to the poor, needy and vulnerable in the society.
The CAN Chairman said, “Today’s flag off at the Baptist Convention ground is for the seven local government areas in Edo South Senatorial District to distribute 27,000 10kg bags of rice to the citizens.
“The flag-off for the consignment of the distribution for Edo North and Central will be coming on a later date. We have 15,000 bags of 10kg for Edo Central and 18,000 for Edo North.
“We appreciate the governor for the overall commitment for the welfare of Edo citizens. Our governor is taking the lead in seeking and implementing strategies in tackling the hardship occasioned by the worsening economic situation and hunger in Nigeria. The logistics to move the rice to the communities that need it is in place.”
Ayemoba, our Benin based Editor, can be reached on: 08161649000
