By Yunusa Isa, Gombe

Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has flagged off 17th palliative distribution exercise to 214,500 less privileged beneficiaries across 2,218 polling units in the 114 wards of the state.

Speaking during the flagg off, the governor said his administration is ever committed to bringing succour to people of the state especially the poor and less privileged.

“This exercise demonstrates that our commitment to helping our people during difficult times remains an enduring attribute of this administration. From the days of the Covid-19 pandemic to the recent removal of fuel subsidy, we have taken steps to alleviate the suffering of our people during their period of need”.

He urged the distribution committee to ensure justice in the exercise, assuring that his administration would not condone corruption of whatever form.

“Our wish is to empower our people to be producers of food, to be self reliant for food security, not to always wait for this kind of unsustainable interventions”.

While calling on people of the state to remain brother’s keepers, Governor Yahaya charged them to pray for the state and Nigeria at large.

Earlier in his address, chairman of the distribution committee and Deputy Governor of the state Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau represented by the Chief of Staff Government House Abubakar Inuwa Kari, said the state government is aware of the economic challenges facing the people of the state especially food crisis.

He said stakeholders sub committees were instituted at ward and local government levels, to ensure seemless distribution of the food stuff.

He commended people of the state for being calm and law abiding despite the current economic challenges.

In a vote of thanks on behalf of the beneficiaries, His Royal Highness the Emir of Gombe Dr Abubakar Shehu Abubakar the 3rd, appreciated Governor Yahaya for always coming to the aid of the less privileged, especially in this economic downturns.

He called on other politicians and political office holders to borrow leaf from the governor.