From Agaju Madugba, Katsina
Even in the face of escalating insecurity arising from murderous activities of terrorists, Katsina State Governor, Umaru Dikko Radda, has identified prevailing hunger among the population as an equally devastating issue that requires urgent attention.
Speaking at a meeting with representatives of the World Food Programme (WFP) in Abuja, Radda lamented that food insecurity in Katsina and the North-West region in general has attained a crisis level.
“We appreciate the World Food Programme for acknowledging the severe challenges we face in the North-West,” Radda told the WFP Country Director, David Stevenson, according to a statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed.
According to the statement, “Governor Dikko Umaru Radda appealed for immediate intervention in the escalating security crisis gripping the North-West region of Nigeria and shed more light on the gravity of the crisis.
“We appreciate the World Food Programme for acknowledging the severe challenges we face in the North-West,
“The epicentre of conflicts has shifted from the North-East where Boko Haram’s activities have significantly decreased, to the North-West and we are now at the forefront of this war zone.
“Governor Radda said his administration since assuming the office nearly a year ago, has initiated numerous efforts to combat insecurity but the situation remains dire.
“We are grateful that the World Food Programme has turned its attention to the North-West. While this intervention comes at a critical time, it is not too late. We desperately need assistance to address these challenges.
“During the last Ramadan fasting period, we provided meals for 72,000 people every day for 30 days.
“Additionally, we distributed foodstuff worth N10 billion in collaboration with the local governments, selling them at subsidized rates to assist the poor and displaced in their communities.
“ And, approximately 43,000 less-privileged individuals, including disabled persons, widows, and orphans received foodstuff and financial aid; each of the beneficiaries received a bag of rice and N10,000.
“We have launched a programme to train 3,000 young men and women in mechatronics, providing stipends during their six-month training.
“We have allocated N3.4 billion through the Katsina State Enterprises Development Agency, in partnership with Amana Micro Finance Bank, to support these trainees in establishing workshops and recruiting others.”
“We are creating a mechanization centre to make modern farming equipment accessible at subsidized rates and this week, we plan to distribute 400,000 bags of fertilizer, worth N22 billion, to farmers.”
In his remarks earlier, the WFP Director explained that the purpose of the meeting was for him to have a first-hand briefing on the situation in Katsina and how the WFP can intervene
He noted that the WFP has been involved in the North-East where the organization provides humanitarian services.