IBADAN – Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has on Monday flagged off the distribution of assorted commodities aimed at providing crucial support to the vulnerable members of the society.

The assorted food items which were drawn from the National Strategic Reserve to vulnerable citizens in Oyo state include 25,740 bags of maize (50kg) and 5,280 bag of Garri (25kg).

The flag off ceremony which held today at the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, featured symbolic presentation to Local Government Executive Chairmen for onward equal distribution at the 33 local council areas.

Governor Seyi Makinde represented by his deputy, Barrister Bayo Lawal emphasized the significance of such interventions in providing immediate relief and support to vulnerable groups, particularly in the face of ongoing economic challenges and global uncertainties.

The distribution exercise which is structured to reach communities in both urban and rural areas of Oyo State, ensure equitable access and coverage across the state was as a result of the robust collaboration between the state government and NEMA, Makinde said.

He added that in collaborating with relevant agencies and stakeholders, the state government has implemented robust mechanisms to facilitate the seamless and transparent transportation and distribution of the donated commodities, to guarantee that they reach those the items are meant for.

Furthermore, Governor Makinde highlighted the proactive measures taken by his administration to enhance social protection frameworks while reiterating his unwavering commitment to sustainable development goals, stressing the imperative of building resilient communities through targeted interventions and strategic partnership and collaboration.

The governor emphasized the importance of collective collaboration towards bringing an end to the security challenges especially in parts of the state that are largely agrarian such as Oke-ogun, Ibarapa, Ogbomoso and Oyo geopolitical zones maintaining that without collective efforts, it would be impossible to achieve the desired results in the fight against criminal elements such as kidnappers, bandits, and armed robbers.

While highlighting some of the efforts of the state government through deliberate intention to address the economic hardship and poverty in the state, also called on the Local government chairmen to ensure that all stakeholders in their various councils should ensure that the distribution template must be strictly adhered to while also stating that he expects follow up reports of their distribution process in line with even and equitable disbursement.

He stated that the distribution would be a test of transparency on the part of the new executive chairmen across the 33 LGAs. He emphasized that the gesture was imperative to engender the culture of accountability.

Earlier in his address shortly before officially handing over the food items to the state government, the Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Zubaida Umar represented by the agency’s South West Zonal Coordinator, Adewale Stephen, the gesture was part of the commitments of President Bola Tinubu towards the welfare and well-being of Nigerians especially to provide necessary support during the economic hardship.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda, Mr. President approved the release of 42,000MT of assorted food commodities from the National Strategic Reserve under the custody of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMOA&FS).

“The assorted food commodities include maize, millet, sorghum, and garri. Distinguished stakeholders, after sharing the commodities and successfully transporting the quantities allocated to Oyo State, today we are here to hand.

Over the food items to the State Government for distribution to the identified deserving beneficiaries in the communities through the constituted Committees in each LGA.

“Please note that membership of the Committee in each LGA is made up of the Chairman of the LGA, State Emergency Management Agency, a Traditional Ruler, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Faith-Based Organizations (JNI & CAN), Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Women Associations, Persons With Disability Groups, Youth Associations, Principals of Boarding Schools, Civil Society Organizations and the Media.

“It is worthy of note that based on the allocation table, Oyo State has been allocated: i. 1,287MT of Maize (25,740 bags of 50kg) ii. 132MT of Garri (5,280 bags of 25kg). The above food items will be shared equally to all the LGAS in the State.” Umar said.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Otunba Ademola Ojo commended the President for the gesture, describing it as a recognizing food security as a fundamental human rights and a key pillar of of societal stability.

The Commissioner commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his giant strides in the state under different initiatives and programs targeted at the vulnerable members of the state particularly at the grassroots stressing that the FG food support would compliment efforts of the state government while calling for all hands to be on deck.

“Going down memory lane, Nigeria has witnessed unprecedented challenges occasioned by the global economic recession which has greatly affected the economic well-being of the citizens. This impacted negatively on all states of the federation. Hence, the resolve of all tiers of government to design social programmes aimed at ameliorating the hardship through distribution of food items amongst other benefits. Otunba Ojo said.

Hon. Oyedokun Timothy, the executive chairman of Ogbomoso South local government, who spoke on behalf of other Council Chairmen commended the collaboration between the state and federal government which resulted in the provision of the economic support food items assuring that the distribution guideline and template would not be compromised in the distribution process.

Other key stakeholders including traditional and religious leaders in their separate remarks lamented the impact of security challenge on food security resulting into the current hike in cost of essential commodities and foodstuffs across the country while calling for immediate end to the killings and banditry that have plagued parts of Oyo state unabated.

Present at the event are members of the state executive Council, other top government functionaries, executive chairmen from the 33 local government areas, members of the state House of Assembly, officials of NEMA, Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (OYSEMA), as well as traditional and religious leaders across the 5 geopolitical zones of the state.