Relief reaches vulnerable households as Sokoto begins statewide empowerment drive.

From Muhammad Gazali Garba

The First Lady of Sokoto State, Hajiya Fatima Ahmed Aliyu, on Saturday flagged off the distribution of cash assistance and food items to women and other vulnerable groups across the state, reaffirming the commitment of Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration to improving the welfare and livelihoods of the less privileged.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the First Lady said the intervention was designed to provide immediate relief to vulnerable households while equipping beneficiaries with startup capital to establish small businesses, become self-reliant and improve their standard of living.
She explained that the initiative is one of several humanitarian programmes introduced by her office to support women, widows, persons living with disabilities and other disadvantaged members of society.
Hajiya Fatima noted that since Governor Ahmed Aliyu assumed office, the welfare of citizens—particularly women, widows, persons living with disabilities and other vulnerable groups—has remained a key priority. She added that the administration has implemented various programmes aimed at improving their living conditions and easing the impact of the current economic hardship.
The First Lady also recalled that her office had repeatedly carried out similar interventions under the Renewed Hope Initiative of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to complement efforts aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable residents in Sokoto State.
She commended Senator Oluremi Bola Ahmed Tinubu for championing humanitarian programmes that continue to provide relief to the needy, internally displaced persons, persons living with disabilities and elderly citizens across the country.
Hajiya Fatima urged beneficiaries to make good use of the cash assistance and food items by investing the support in productive ventures that would improve their livelihoods, strengthen their families and promote self-reliance.
She assured residents that the administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu would continue to prioritise the welfare of women, children and other vulnerable groups through sustained empowerment programmes and social intervention initiatives.
The First Lady also appealed to the people of Sokoto State to continue supporting the present administration to enable it to deliver more people-oriented programmes and accelerate the state’s development.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajiya Asabe Balarabe, described the distribution exercise as another demonstration of the Sokoto State Government’s unwavering commitment to improving the welfare of vulnerable groups.
She commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu and the First Lady for their compassion, visionary leadership and consistent support for humanitarian programmes that continue to transform the lives of the less privileged.
According to the commissioner, the initiative reflects the administration’s determination to ensure that no one is left behind by providing relief, restoring hope and promoting an inclusive and caring society.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Hajiya Maryam Dimas, delivered a goodwill message on behalf of Governor Ahmed Aliyu, describing the intervention as a reflection of the First Lady’s compassion, motherly care and commitment to the welfare of the people of Sokoto State.
She observed that the distribution of cash assistance and food items came at a critical time when many families were facing economic hardship, adding that the intervention would provide relief, restore hope and renew confidence among widows, orphans, the elderly, persons living with disabilities and other vulnerable members of society.
Maryam Dimas said the humanitarian gesture aligns with Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s Nine-Point SMART Agenda, particularly its focus on social protection, poverty reduction and improving the well-being of the people.
She stressed that the initiative demonstrates that good governance is not only about executing infrastructure projects but also about directly impacting lives through people-centred programmes.
The Special Adviser urged beneficiaries to make prudent use of the support provided, assuring them that the government remains committed to protecting their welfare and improving their living conditions.
She also expressed appreciation to the First Lady for her sustained humanitarian interventions and prayed for Allah’s continued guidance, protection and wisdom for Governor Ahmed Aliyu, Hajiya Fatima Ahmed Aliyu and the entire administration.
In her goodwill message, the APC North-West Zonal Women Leader, Hajiya Hadiza Alhaji, praised the First Lady for complementing the efforts of Governor Ahmed Aliyu through impactful humanitarian and women empowerment programmes.
She described the distribution of cash assistance and food items as a timely intervention that would provide much-needed relief to vulnerable households across Sokoto State.
Hajiya Hadiza expressed confidence that beneficiaries would use the support wisely to expand their businesses, improve their livelihoods and cater for the needs of their families.
She prayed for Almighty Allah to continue to bless and strengthen the First Lady and Governor Ahmed Aliyu as they work to improve the welfare of the people of Sokoto State.
The event culminated in the official flag-off of the disbursement of cash assistance and distribution of food items to women and vulnerable groups drawn from all 23 local government areas of Sokoto State.