Seven Northern States To Spend N28.3bn On Ramadan Feeding

 

Data recently compiled by journalists have revealed how seven states in the federation, namely Katsina, Sokoto, Kano, Jigawa, Kebbi, Niger, and Yobe, allocated a total of over N28.3 billion for feeding their residents during the ongoing Ramadan fast.

The Nigerian states allocated the funds in their budgets to provide free meals to residents, particularly the less fortunate, during Ramadan.

While this is seen as a gesture of social support to help ease the burden of daily expenses for those who struggle, arguments have been raised from different quarters over the development.

The gesture aims to provide much-needed support to low-income families and vulnerable populations during Ramadan, a month marked by specific dietary practices.

However, critics argue these programs are expensive and strain government budgets that could be used for other crucial needs like infrastructure or education. Concerns also exist about the transparency and efficiency of these programs, with the potential for misuse of funds.

It has been reported that numerous states, particularly in the Northern region, have allocated different amounts of money for the project, but have chosen not to disclose the exact figures.

This has caused concern among many people, including religious leaders calling for transparency, given the significant amount of money involved.

While it is not entirely inappropriate to provide support for the less fortunate during Ramadan due to its rewards, they are urging caution to prevent any potential misuse of funds.

The Whisperer understands that Katsina State is leading the way in budgeting the feeding program, with an allocation of N10 billion.

Sokoto has earmarked N6.7 billion, Kano has set aside N6 billion, Jigawa has allocated N2.83 billion, Kebbi has allocated N1.5 billion, Niger has allocated N976 million, and Yobe has allocated N178 million, respectively.

Earlier, the Governor of Katsina state, Dikko Umar Radda, during the committee’s inauguration to oversee the distribution of grains to beneficiaries, revealed the allocated amount for Ramadan feeding.

The governor emphasized that this gesture aims to support the state’s residents.

In Sokoto, Governor Ahmed Aliyu announced that the state has allocated N6.7 billion for the provision of Ramadan and other essential packages to the people.

Furthermore, the Kano State government has set a goal of reaching four million individuals through the 2024 Ramadan feeding program, which will cover all 44 local government areas of the state.

During an interview earlier, Kano State Commissioner for Information and Home Affairs, Baba Dantiye, expressed that the primary objective of the Ramadan feeding programme was to provide sustenance for underprivileged individuals.

Dantiye highlighted that the highly populated Kano metropolis, consisting of eight LGAs, houses 90 designated facilities such as mosques, remand centres, Almajiri schools, and hospitals.

“In each centre, we have three women who cook and three men who provide security so that people don’t tamper with the food or cause stampedes.

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