…….Donates food items to 500 vulnerable households
Enugu state Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah has flagged-off the State’s sustainable food distribution program aimed at providing food items to vulnerable households to end hunger and improve nutrition in the state.
Performing the function at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, on Tuesday, Governor Mbah said the program was a bold and transformative initiative of the Enugu State Sustainable Development Goals Office.
According to him, the program underscores an unwavering dedication to improving the quality of life of Enugu people. He noted that .across the globe, food insecurity remains one of the most stubborn challenges of our time, saying, “according to the United Nations, over 735 million people faced hunger in 2020..Here in Nigeria, the reality hits closer to home,” he said.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government ( SSG) Professor Chidiebere Onyia, Governor Mbah said, “as millions of our fellow citizens continue to struggle with access to nutritious food, especially in the wake of economic shocks, climate change, displacement, and unbound poverty, beyond the numbers and statistics are people, mothers, who skip meals to feed their children without access to proper nutrition and communities caught in the cycle of scarcity.
“As a responsible and responsive government, we believe that no citizen of the state should go to bed hungry. This is not just a political obligation. It is a moral one. So, the Sustainable Food Distribution Program is more than just a palliative measure. It is a structured, strategic, and sustainable response to food insecurity”, Governor Mbah said..
Pix: SSG, Prof Onyia
Speaking further on the program, the Governor said, through the initiative, they were providing nutritious, locally sourced food items to vulnerable homes.
“We are empowering rural farmers and food producers by integrating them into our supply chain, partnering with communities, community leaders, clergy, civil society organizations, and private sector actors to ensure transparency, equity, and efficiency in distribution and most importantly, aligning this intervention with the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 2, which speaks to zero hunger, Goal 1, no poverty, and Goal 10, reduce equality, and finally Goal 17, which talks about partnership for these goals,” he said.
Governor Mbah noted that Enugu state Government recognized that sustainable food security is not achieved by seasonal interventions, but by a long-term system that addresses root causes, which was why as a government they had made huge investments in agriculture, empowering small-scale farmers through training, provision of agro-imputs, and agricultural grants, and investing in systems that mitigate the effects of climate change.
He assured stakeholders that his administration was fully invested in the success and scalability of the Sustainable Development Goals, adding that they will continue to expand the program by enrolling more beneficiaries, supporting local farmers, and collaborating with local governments to replicate the model at the grassroots.
“I am happy that the mayor of Enugu East is represented here by his wife,and I know that with this model set out at the state level local governments will embrace it.
“We will continue to emulate and continue to ensure that this is cascaded down to the grassroots”, he assured.
Calling for support for the program, Governor Mbah said, Sustainable food distribution requires that all hands are on deck.We urge you to work with us to scale up this initiatives
*As we flag up the project today, I ask that we see beyond the food, bags, and the distribution trucks. What we are launching today is hope, what we are distributing today is dignity, and what we are building is a more equitable society where no man or woman or child is left behind,” he said.
The Governor commended the Enugu State SDGs’ office, led by the senior special assistant to the governor and the focal person of the SDG, Engr. Onyinye Akubilo -Okpalanma, for making the program a reality. He also thanked their development partners, NGOs, faith-based organizations, private sector stakeholders, Saphire, the home company, and other philanthropic individuals, extending a hand of partnership to them.
Pix SSA ,SDG, Akubiilo-Okpalanma
In her welcome address, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor and the focal person of the SDGs, Engr. Onyinye Akubilo -Okpalanma,said the Sustainable Food Distribution Program, is an initiative birthed under the mandate of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Office, and with the full backing of Governor Mbah.
“This gathering is not just ceremonial; it is deeply symbolic of collective commitment to ending hunger, promoting inclusive w being, and improving nutrition among our vulnerable,” the focal person said.
She noted that food is a basic human right, not a privilege , lamenting that in many parts of the country access to safe, sufficient and nutritious food remains a daily struggle.
“The socio-economic realities of the past few years exacerbated by climate shocks, inflation , insecurity and unemployment have further exposed the fragility of our food systems and the vulnerability of many households.
“It is in response to these pressing challenges that the Sustainable Food Distribution Program was conceptualized not as a one-off palliative measure, but as a system-driven, equity-focused, and sustainable Intervention to combat hunger and improve nutritional outcome across our state.
Pix: SDGs boss and Sapphire partners
“The program is designed to provide food item monthly to vulnerable households for twelve (12) consecutive months
“This initiative speaks directly to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) but also complements several other goals, including SDG 1 ( no poverty) SDG3( good health) and well being complements several other goals, including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)”.
The Focal person said the Sustainable Food Distribution Program was built on three major pillars which are as follows , targeted support to vulnerable households, where community-based data system was used to identify the most: single mothers, the elderly, people living with disabilities, and households below the poverty line.
The second pillar, Community Participation and Transparency is a project being implemented in partnership with community leaders, faith-based organizations, and ward-level monitors to ensure accountability, while the third pillar , local sourcing and economic inclusion is where they engaged local farmers, food processors, and suppliers circular flow that benefits both the vulnerable and the sectors of the economy.
She thanked the State Governor, whose vision for inclusive development, she said , inspired their work.
” Your Excellency, your support for the SDGs in policy and in practice has been the backbone of our ability to drive results at scale,” she said.
“As we flag off this program today, I urge all stakeholders to see this as call to action, not just a project launch. Sustainability is not about ho long a programme lasts, it’s about how deeply it is owned by the people it was designed for.
“This project will be implemented in phases, and we count on your support to monitor, give feedback, and hold us accountable.
“Let this flag-off mark the beginning of a more nutritious, inclusive, dignified future for our people, .
The SSA thanked the Secretary to the State Government. Prof. Chidiebere Onyia for his leadership and policy Coordination which has helped to bring all critical MDAs on board to support the initiative.
She also thanked their partners and sponsors: Sapphire and Ceramic Nigeria Limited, the chairman of Enugu East local government area. Hon. Engr. Beloved Dan Anike, Jenew Homes Nigeria limited. Ceramic Nigeria Limited, Princess Jennifer Onoh and Barr. Kester Enwereonu for providing funds to support the initiative, the community leaders and volunteers, for helping them reach the unreached.
Goodwill messages were presented by the Executive Chairman, Enugu East LGA, Hon. Beloved Anike, who was represented by the Chairperson Enugu East LGA, Dr. Mrs. Happiness Obi-Anike, the Commissioner for Human Development & Poverty Eradication, who was represented , the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Her Excellency, Princess Orelope – Adefulire, who was represented by Dr. Mrs Ify Nnamchi among others.
Highlights of the event were distribution of 10Kg Rice, groundnut oil, salt, soap and other condiments. There were presentation on Spoken word poetry, Sax performance and presentation of awards to their partners.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama