Sokoto First Lady Flags Off Cash, Food Distribution to Women, Vulnerable Groups
The First Lady of Sokoto State, Hajiya Fatima Ahmed Aliyu, on Saturday flagged off the distribution of cash assistance and food items to women and other vulnerable groups across the 23 local government areas of the state, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of the less privileged.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Hajiya Fatima said the intervention was designed to provide immediate relief to vulnerable households while empowering beneficiaries to become self-reliant.
“The intervention is designed to provide immediate relief to vulnerable households while empowering beneficiaries with startup capital to establish small businesses, become self-reliant and improve their standard of living,” she said.
The First Lady explained that the programme was part of several humanitarian interventions initiated by her office to support women, widows, persons living with disabilities and other less privileged members of society.
She noted that since the inauguration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration, the welfare of women, widows, persons living with disabilities and other vulnerable groups has remained a priority, with various empowerment and social intervention programmes introduced to cushion the effects of economic hardship.
“Since the inception of Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration, the welfare of women, widows, persons living with disabilities and other vulnerable groups has remained a top priority,” she stated.
Hajiya Fatima also recalled similar interventions carried out under the Renewed Hope Initiative of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commending her for championing humanitarian programmes benefiting vulnerable Nigerians.
She urged beneficiaries to make productive use of the support by investing in income-generating ventures capable of improving their livelihoods and strengthening their families. She further assured residents that the administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu would continue to prioritise women, children and other vulnerable groups through sustained empowerment and social intervention programmes.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajiya Asabe Balarabe, described the distribution exercise as another demonstration of the Sokoto State Government’s unwavering commitment to improving the welfare of vulnerable citizens.
“The initiative reflects the administration’s determination to ensure that no one is left behind by providing relief, restoring hope and promoting an inclusive and caring society,” the commissioner said.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Hajiya Maryam Dimas, said the intervention reflected the First Lady’s compassion and commitment to the welfare of the people.
She noted that the distribution came at a critical time when many families were facing economic hardship and said it aligned with Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s 9-Point SMART Agenda.
“The humanitarian gesture is in line with Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s 9-Point SMART Agenda, particularly its focus on social protection, poverty reduction and improving the well-being of the people,” Maryam Dimas said.
The APC North-West Zonal Women Leader, Hajiya Hadiza Alhaji, also commended the First Lady for complementing the governor’s efforts through impactful humanitarian and women empowerment programmes. She expressed confidence that beneficiaries would use the support to expand their businesses, improve their livelihoods and cater for their families.
The event saw the official flag-off of the disbursement of cash assistance and distribution of food items to women and vulnerable groups drawn from all the 23 local government areas of Sokoto State.
