Enugu Flags Off Sustainable Food Distribution to the Vulnerable

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By Iheanyi Chukwudi

Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Wednesday, flagged off the state’s Sustainable Food Distribution Programme.

The programme is an intervention aimed at providing locally produced food items to vulnerable households for 12 consecutive months.

Speakinging at the flag-off held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, Mbah, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, explained that the programme, which is one of the bold initiatives of the Enugu State Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Office, will start with 500 households, and be expanded to fight hunger and improve nutrition among the poor in the state.

Mbah, explained that his administration was aware that sustainable food security could not be achieved through seasonal interventions, hence the its "long-term systems through huge investments in agriculture, empowering small-scale farmers through training, provision of agro-inputs, agricultural grants, and investing in systems that mitigate the effects of climate change."

Quoting the United Nations said that food insecurity was one of the most stubborn contemporary challenges, which affected over 735 million people worldwide in 2020.

“But 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 Programme is more than just a palliative measure. It is a structured, strategic, and sustainable response to food insecurity,” he said.

“We are empowering rural farmers and food producers by integrating them into our supply chain, partnering with communities, community leaders, clergy, civil society organisations, and private sector actors to ensure transparency, equity, and efficiency in distribution.

We are aligning this intervention with the SDGs, specifically Goal 2, which speaks to zero hunger; Goal 1, which speaks to no poverty; Goal 10, to reduced inequality; and finally Goal 17, which talks about partnership for these goals."

He commended the Enugu State SDGs Office, led by the SDG Focal Person and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on SDGs, Engr. Onyinye Akubuilo-Okpalanma; private sector partners, Sapphire Ceramics Nigeria Limited, Jenew Homes Nig. Ltd., Enugu East LG Council, among others, for making the event a reality.

Earlier in her address, Engr. Akubuilo-Okpalanma said the food distribution programme was “deeply symbolic of the collective commitment to ending hunger, promoting inclusive wellbeing, and improving nutrition among our vulnerable.”

She thanked Governor Mbah for his support for the SDGs in policy and in practice.

The event witness the distribution of rice, beans, potatoes, groundnut oil, salt, soap, and other condiments to the beneficiaries.

The beneficiaries, who received the items, prayed that God would continue to guide the Governor to realise his vision of eradicating poverty and hunger from the the state in eight years.

One of them, Mrs. Ngozi Uzo, said, “It is only somebody who goes to the market to buy food that will understand what the Governor has done for us. And we will be coming every month to collect free food items for another 11 months. It is not a small thing that he has done for us. I am happy, and God will bless him and the people that organised it.”

Goodwill messages were presented by several dignitaries, including the Senior Special Assistant to the the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, who was represented by Dr. Mrs. Ify Nnamchi-Ukaegbu and Chairman of Enugu East Local Government, Hon. Beloved Anike.