By Raphael Ekpang
The Nasarawa State Ministry for Women Affairs, has commenced the distribution of 4000 bags of 5kg wheat flour to women, being food items sent to the state by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, as palliative to women in the state.
Flagging off the distribution of the food items at a ceremony at the Government House, Lafia on Wednesday, Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, appealed to officials handling the distribution to ensure that only those in dire need of the food items, benefit.
Engr. Sule equally appealed to women associations and groups, through which the food items will be distributed, to ensure that the wheat flour does not end up being sold in the market, which will defeat the essence of the exercise.
The Governor also tasked chairmen of local government areas, as well as officials engaged in he distribution at the council and development area level, to show leadership by ensuring that they distributed all food items in their charge and not to keep some for personal use.
“The idea is that, even if you are taking delivery on behalf of the association, as long as you can afford, show leadership by sharing it all to those who need it and keep none for yourself,” the Governor pleaded.
Engineer Sule then announced the donation of 500 gas cylinders, as further support from the state government, to be distributed alongside the food items.
Earlier, in her opening remarks, Hon. Halima Ahmadu Jabiru, Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, said her ministry has taken delivery of a truckload of wheat flour, earlier approved by the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Paulen Tallen, for distribution as palliative to women.
Hon. Jabiru added that the food items, about 4000 bags of 5kg wheat flour, have been allocated to various women groups and associations, as well as local government and development areas of the state, for onward distribution to women in their localities.
While describing the presence of the Governor at the event as further demonstration of his affection for women and what affects them, the Commissioner gave the targeted beneficiaries as the aged, indigent, vulnerable, widows and women with disabilities.
Those present at the event, include the Nasarawa State First Lady, Hajiya Silifat Abdullahi Sule, the wife of the state Deputy Governor, Mrs. Sheila Tosan Akabe, Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, state Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Suleiman Umaru Dikko and Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Barrister Muhammad Ubandoma Aliyu, among others.
