By Uzair Adam
Twenty-eight Islamic and social organisations in Kano State have received food items and cash support from the state government to assist thousands of residents during the Ramadan period.
The Daily Reality reports that the items were presented to representatives of the organisations during the “Kano First End of Ramadan Support” programme held at the Government House in Kano on Monday.
The initiative, organised by the Kano State Government, is aimed at enabling the groups to support their members and other vulnerable persons observing the Ramadan fast.
Officials said the intervention is expected to reach more than 6,000 beneficiaries across the state, drawn largely from vulnerable groups including women, youth and other less-privileged members of society.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented at the event by the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Sheikh Tijjani Auwal, said the intervention reflects the administration’s commitment to supporting residents, particularly during the holy month.
“The Ramadan period is a time of compassion, charity and reflection. This support is part of our government’s effort to ease the burden on families and ensure that more people benefit during the fasting period,” Auwal said.
He further noted that the state government has established about 160 Ramadan feeding centres across Kano, where around 1,000 people benefit daily from prepared meals to break their fast.
He said the initiative is expected to reach about 1.5 million beneficiaries throughout the Ramadan period.
He urged the beneficiary organisations to continue praying for peace, unity and sustained development in Kano State and the country at large.
Speaking during the programme, the Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Alhaji Abduljabbar Muhammad Umar, said the initiative was designed to strengthen collaboration between the government and religious as well as community-based organisations.
“This support is meant to complement the efforts of religious and social groups that are already working to assist the less privileged in our communities,” he said.
He explained that each beneficiary would receive one bag of rice, one carton of noodles and a cash support of N20,000 during the distribution exercise.
According to him, the programme is being conducted over two days, with about 3,480 beneficiaries receiving support on the first day, while an additional 2,600 people were expected to benefit on the second day, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 6,080.
Umar added that the initiative involves the distribution of over 21,000 bags of rice and more than 21,000 cartons of noodles, alongside cash assistance, as part of efforts to cushion the impact of economic hardship on vulnerable residents.
Some of the organisations that benefited from the intervention include the Kano State Council of Imams, Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah, Jama’atul Nasril Islam, the Kano State Hisbah Board and the Zakkat and Hubsi Commission.
Others are the Council of Qur’anic and Islamiyya Schools, Fityanul Islam First Aid Group, the Nigerian Association of the Blind (Kano chapter), the Association of the Deaf, as well as groups representing widows, divorcees and orphans.
The Commander-General of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the state government for the gesture.
“This intervention has come at the right time. It will go a long way in supporting many families during the Ramadan fast,” Daurawa said.
Meanwhile, the distribution exercise continued on Tuesday with additional community groups receiving the support under the programme.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by his Political Adviser, Alhaji Hamza Buhari, commended the Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning for initiating the intervention aimed at supporting vulnerable residents and community organisations.
He said the programme would help ease economic hardship for many families and strengthen solidarity among residents during the Ramadan period.
Officials said the intervention involved the distribution of food items and cash support valued at over N42 million.
Among the groups that benefited on the second day were APC Media Forum, APC Marshals, APC Youth and Women groups, Kano First Movement, Abba Door-to-Door supporters and the Kannywood association.
