In a bid to cushion the hardship occasioned by the recent Shasha crisis in Ibadan, Oyo State, the Federal Government has presented food items, as relief materials to 928 households and 5,568 displaced persons.
The relief items were presented to Governor Seyi Makinde, on behalf of the displaced persons at the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan.
Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development in a statement issued on Friday, said the relief items were immediate response provided by her ministry.
The statement signed by the minister’s media aide, Mrs Nneka Anibeze, expressed sympathy for persons affected by the crisis and commended the state government and security agencies for their prompt intervention in bringing the situation under control.
It also quoted the minister appreciating the traditional rulers and community leaders for the restoration of peace in the area.
Among the food items distributed are 928 bags of 10kg rice; 928 bags of 11.25kg beans; 928 bags of 10kg garri; and 46 kegs of 20 litres of vegetable oil.
Others are 46 bags of 20 kg salt; 155 packets of seasoning cubes and 71 cartons of tin tomatoes.
“I have brought with me relief food items approved based on the initial assessment for the 928 households and 5, 568 displaced persons identified to be in Sabo, Ojoo and Akinyele.
“The Federal Government will be guided by the detailed assessment carried out by NEMA and the Oyo Government officials to provide further support that may be necessary for rehabilitation,” the statement read in part.
In a related development, the minister inaugurated the Federal Government’s Special Cash Grant for Rural Women in the state with a view to increasing access to financial capital required for economic activities.
According to her, a total of 5,280 beneficiaries are to benefit from the cash grant of N20, 000 each to uplift the socio-economic status of the rural women in Oyo.
Farooq who said the state has so far received a total sum of N992, 715,000 from the Conditional Cash Transfer programme since its inception, added that the development has impacted the lives of 14,021 poor and vulnerable households from 28 local government areas.
“I must note at this point that the social register is being expanded to cater for more poor and vulnerable households in the state.
“The Rural Women’s Cash Grant is designed to provide a one-off grant to some of the poorest and most vulnerable women in rural Nigeria.
“A grant of N20, 000 will be disbursed to over 150,000 poor rural women across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory,” she said.
Responding, Gov. Seyi Makinde appreciated the Federal Government through the ministry, for contributing its quota, in making the country a better place for all.
Makinde, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka, said that his administration was ready to partner with any individual or group willing to assist humanity.
