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COVID-19: Poor planning, politics mar distribution of N500m Kaduna palliative — NAN Survey

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6 years ago

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Some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), faith based groups and residents of Kaduna State have faulted the shabby manner in which the N500 million food items procured by the state government are being distributed.
They said in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kaduna that the food items were either hijacked by politicians or shared to people not in need of the palliative in most areas.
The state government had announced that the N500 million worth of foodstuffs would be distributed to old and vulnerable people to cushion the effect of the total lockdown in the state over the Coronavirus pandemic.
The government had set up 7-man committees in each of the 255 wards to ensure that the items got to the right beneficiaries.
However, the distribution of the items has faced different challenges, with those meant to benefit from the gesture complaining of being short changed, as many did not receive the palliative.
Mr Sola Ojo, Chairman, Evidence and Knowledge Management Committee, Kaduna Social Protection Accountability Coalition, said the distribution was marred by several challenges as most of the targeted groups were left out.
Ojo, who said he had monitored the distribution in Kaduna North LGA, complained that most of the people listed as beneficiaries were healthy young men and women.
“The cluster committee saddled with responsibility of identifying the vulnerable people in their communities failed woefully, some of the lists were discarded.
“We went to distribute food items to vulnerable groups, but most of the beneficiaries that came out to collect the items did not meet the criteria of a vulnerable poor.”
Mr Yusuf Goje of the Coalition of Association for Leadership, Peace, Empowerment and Development, equally noted that most of the targeted groups did not benefit.
Goje who monitored the exercise in Chikun LGA, expressed concern over alleged diversion of 102 cartons of noodles and 300 gallons of vegetable oil meant for Nasarawa, Trikania and Kudandan cluster.
He noted that most of the committee members did not have the capacity to coordinate the distribution at community level, which manifested in the rowdiness that characterized the exercise.
Goje also said that there was complete absence of sensitisation at community level by the cluster committees, adding that people came out with the assumption that the food was for everybody.
Similarly, Mr Silas Ideva, the Chief Executive Officer, Carelink Resource Foundation, who monitored the exercise in Kaduna North, said that the cluster committees politicised the distribution.
According to him, most of the targeted beneficiaries were left out because of the politics that came into play, a situation he described as “very unfortunate”.
“The development has watered down the efforts of government to provide succor to the vulnerable groups who are the worst affected by the lockdown across the state,” Ideva noted.
On his part, Mr Abdulrahman Mikail, Programme Manager, I Care Women and Youth Initiative, who monitored the distribution in Kaduna South LGA, said that the distribution was characterized by massive crowd.
He blamed the situation on poor planning, lack of involvement of civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders in the planning and implementation of the distribution exercise.
Mikail also said that most of the targeted groups did not get the food items, while people with disabilities were completely schemed out.
Similar complain trailed the palliative distribution in other parts of the state.
The Bishop of First Baptist Church Sabon Gari, Zaria, Rev. Isaac Gbadero, appealed to the state government to adopt more transparent measures in distributing the foodstuffs to vulnerable persons in local government areas yet to be covered.
Gbadero said what was distributed was less than what a household needed for a day’s meal.
“As we speak, it has not even gotten to real households, communities and Local Government Areas,” he said.
The Bishop added that the church has complemented government efforts by distributing similar palliative to vulnerable groups through donations received from wealthy members.
Similarly, Malam Safiyanu Abubakar, a resident of Tudun Wada, Zaria told NAN that the mechanism adopted by the government in the distribution of the food items in the area was not transparent.
Abubakar said the exercise was politicized at the cluster level where the seven-man committee mandated to distribute the items formed sub-committes, thereby sidelining the main beneficiaries.
Some beneficiaries at Kwan Gero, Bambale, Gyallesu and Tukur-Tukur/Magume clusters in Zaria local government, however, expressed appreciation to the state government for the gesture.
According to Ahmed Shuaib, deputy chairman of the distribution committee at Runji in Hanwa Cluster, they got six bags of 50 kg rice and each beneficiary got one measure of rice, while some got two sachets of pasta.
He added that other beneficiaries got one measure of beans while others shared 10kg of garri.
A resident of Hanwa in Zaria, Kabiru Shuaib, said the items given to them were grossly inadequate and not enough to feed for a day.
According to him, the sub-committee members were largely politicians who used the opportunity to favor their party members and neglected people who needed the support most.
NAN recalls that the food items were distributed in Zaria on April 4.
The Chairman Distribution Task Force in Zaria, Alhaji Abdullahi Sani, had at the time said each cluster received 1,000 cartons of noodles, 85 bags of 50kg of Rice and 129 cartons of four litres of vegetable oil.
Other items received were 12 bags of beans, 420 bags of Semovita, 140 cartons of spaghetti and undisclosed number of bags of Garri and sugar.
The Chairman, Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board, Alhaji Abdullahi Sani, who chaired the distribution, had said that the items were for 14 clusters in Zaria.
In Rigasa ward of Igabi LGA, a committee member,  Abdullahi Shehu, claimed that hoodlums attacked and whisked away some of the foodstuffs while being transported to the benefitting clusters.
Shehu said that Rigasa ward received 1,200 bags of 10kg rice,750packs of semovita, 1,200 cartons of noodles, 150 bags of 10kg beans, and more than 300 cartons of spaghetti and galons of oil.
He, however, said “hoodlums attacked the vehicles transporting the food and carted away more than 25 percent of the food items.”
Shehu noted that some of the drivers and security operatives conveying the items were injured during the attack.
“We collected the food from Rigachikun around 10pm and on our arrival in Rigasa, we saw gang of youth barricading the road, ordering vehicles to stop. They carted away some of the items before the police arrived the scene.
“We distributed 75% of the items to the less privileged even though it did not go round the households selected to benefit from the gesture,” Shehu said.
Abubakar Ibrahim, Secretary of the distribution committee in Rigasa said, “we selected 25 mosques in each zone from both the Izala and Darika sects and 25 groups known as majalisa in each of the zones.
“We also gave religious leaders of both Muslim and Christian faith some packs to give to vulnerable members in their circle.
“120 households were identified from poor and vulnerable groups in the three zones and were given the food items.”
On his part, Mr Thomas Gyang, Commissioner, Planning and Budget Commission, said that the food items doled out by government included rice, beans, semovita, spaghetti, noodles, garri and vegetable oil.
Gyang explained that the distribution was done in clusters across the benefiting pilot local government areas of Chikun, Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Igabi, Kaura, Jema’a, Sabon Gari and Zaria.
He said that the cluster committees, made up of party officials, traditional and religion leaders, women and other community members, were responsible for mapping, selection and handing over the food items to the beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Balarabe Abbas-Lawal, who is also the Chairman of the Palliative Committee, acknowledged the challenges being experienced in the distribution.
Abbas-Lawal blamed the development on poor planning by some of the cluster committees.
He, however assured that the committees would make amendments to address the challenges as the distribution continues in other parts of the state.
“We will continue this exercise until all the LGAs are covered and will be making amendments from the experiences learned, going forward,” he said.
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Super Eagles: Chelle Explains Decision to Invite New Players

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3 days ago

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June 5, 2026

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Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has defended his decision to hand opportunities to several new players during the Unity Cup and the international friendly against Poland, saying the move is part of efforts to strengthen the national team.

According to DAILY POST, Chelle included eight home-based players in his squad for the Unity Cup invitational tournament as he continues to assess new talents capable of improving the team.

Players such as Femi Azeez, Owen Oseni, Arthur Okonkwo, and Rafiu Durosinmi all made their debut appearances during the competition.

Banik Ostrava defender Abdullahi Bewene also earned his first cap for the Super Eagles in the friendly against Poland, while Genk defender Christian Akpan received a late invitation for the upcoming friendly against Portugal.

Speaking to the Super Eagles media team, Chelle said the inclusion of fresh faces is aimed at raising the quality and competitiveness of the squad.

“We have analysed our game over the past year and have tried to bring in players who can help the team grow,” Chelle said.

“We need to improve because, for me and for everyone, it is often the smallest details that make the difference between being the best team and winning a trophy.”

The Malian tactician has continued to experiment with his squad since taking charge, with a focus on building a stronger and more competitive team ahead of future international competitions.

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“I Left the Frying Pan for Hellfire” — Senatorial Aspirant Laments Exit from APC to NDC

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3 days ago

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June 5, 2026

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Ehiozuwa Agbonayinwa, an aspirant for the Edo South Senatorial seat under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has expressed deep frustration over his experience in the party, describing his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the NDC as “moving from the frying pan into hellfire.”

Speaking on Arise News’ News Day programme on Friday, the former member of the House of Representatives alleged that despite winning the party’s senatorial primary election, he is now being prevented from appearing on the ballot.

Agbonayinwa further accused the NDC’s national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, of reneging on earlier encouragement for him to contest the Senate seat on the party’s platform. According to him, Dickson personally persuaded him to purchase the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms, only to later deny ever doing so.

“I have moved from the frying pan into hellfire,” Agbonayinwa said.

“After efforts to reach a consensus failed, we proceeded to a direct primary election. Party leaders brought all the aspirants together and encouraged us to step down for one another, but no agreement was reached.

“We went through a rigorous process. I understand the party is relatively new, but in all my years in both the APC and PDP, I have never witnessed this kind of situation. The primary election was held on May 29, and as of June 5, the results have still not been officially announced.”

The former lawmaker said he was particularly disappointed by the role allegedly played by Dickson, whom he described as a longtime friend and respected associate.

“Before joining the NDC, I reached out to Senator Seriake Dickson and later visited him at his residence. During our discussion, he asked why I could not pursue a Senate seat under the NDC platform.

“At the time, I was considering contesting for the House of Representatives, but after his suggestion, I told him I would consult with my political leaders. After doing so, I informed him of my decision and thanked him. To my surprise, the same person who encouraged me to obtain the nomination form has now claimed he never made such a recommendation,” he stated.

Agbonayinwa maintained that the handling of the primary election process has left him frustrated and disillusioned, raising concerns about transparency and internal democracy within the NDC.

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Some Nigerians Have Turned Insecurity Into a Commercial Venture — PDP Chieftain

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3 days ago

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June 5, 2026

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A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anthony Ehilebo, has expressed concern over the worsening security situation in Nigeria, alleging that some individuals now view insecurity as a profitable enterprise.

Speaking on News Central’s Politics HQ on Friday, Ehilebo said the failure of authorities to bring perpetrators of major terrorist attacks and kidnappings to justice has contributed to the continued spread of insecurity across the country.

He cited the abduction of schoolgirls in Borno State and the attack on students in Buni Yadi as examples of incidents in which those responsible have not been adequately held accountable.

“When Boko Haram kidnapped girls in Borno State, till today we have not found those responsible and held them to account. Buni Yadi happened and nobody was held to account, and it spread to other schools,” he said.

Ehilebo noted that insecurity in Nigeria has evolved into different dimensions, including terrorism driven by extremist ideology and criminal activities motivated by financial gain.

“There are multiple facets and there is one that is solely domiciled within terrorism and if you look at the literal translation of Boko Haram, it means western education is haram according to radical Islamic teachings,” he stated.

He also alleged that some people now engage in kidnapping and related crimes for economic reasons, citing a recent case involving a senior special assistant in a state government who was reportedly arrested for allegedly staging her own abduction in an attempt to obtain ransom from the government.

“It has now become an industry and a commercial venture for some and for some it has become literally a religious thinking process,” he said.

The PDP chieftain argued that the lack of consequences for criminal acts has encouraged the persistence of insecurity, stressing that stronger political will is required to address the challenge effectively.

“The bottom line that has kept this is the consequence, which is almost driven by political will,” he added.

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