In a bid to alleviate hunger and poverty, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has launched the Edo State Food Support Programme.
This initiative, in partnership with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), is known as the Christian Feeding Programme. Its primary aim is to provide sustenance to the most impoverished citizens in the state. A similar initiative for the Muslim community is set to be unveiled in the near future.
At the inauguration ceremony held at the Baptist Convention Ground, TV Road, Benin City, Governor Obaseki emphasized that the food programme is not politically motivated.
He stated, “The number of people in the State who are not able to eat or have one meal a day was rising and I thought of how to solve this problem. I approached CAN about two and half months ago on how to feed the poorest of the poor in the state. When people are sick and hungry they don’t come to the government house but rather go to their churches and mosques to seek assistance.”
He went on, “This feeding programme is for the people, as we are not playing politics with the programme. We are doing this for God and can’t play politics with the things of God. I asked CAN to set up a committee not involving anyone from the government. I am offering to give N1 billion a month and want to try this for three months. How many people can we feed and how can we reach the poorest of the poor in Edo State?”
Governor Obaseki also mentioned that the state’s poverty map is being used in conjunction with the church to reach the most impoverished communities. “This will help us get information about those who are unable to feed, why they are not able to feed and what kind of opportunities can we create for them to enable us to truly lift them out of poverty,” he added.
The governor expressed his gratitude to the CAN Chairman, heads of blocs and committees for their efforts. He said, “It shows you care for the people and this programme is a success. We are doing something similar for the Muslims in the State because we want an all- inclusive Edo State.”
Apostle Irkpono Omoike, the Chairman of the Planning Committee of Edo State Food Support Programme and Chairman of CAN, Edo State Chapter, expressed his appreciation to the governor for his commitment to the welfare of Edo citizens.
He said, “Today’s flag off at the Baptist Convention ground is for the seven local government areas in Edo South Senatorial District to distribute 27,000 10kg bags of rice to the citizens.”
He further revealed that the distribution for Edo North and Central will commence at a later date, with 15,000 bags of 10kg for Edo Central and 18,000 for Edo North. He concluded, “We appreciate the governor for the overall commitment for the welfare of Edo citizens. Our governor is taking the lead in seeking and implementing strategies in tackling the hardship occasioned by the worsening economic situation and hunger in Nigeria. The logistics to move the rice to the communities that need it is in place.”
