The Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, on Friday approved over ₦398 million for the 2026 Ramadan feeding programme and Tafsir across the state.
The initiative, to be implemented by the Yobe State Ministry of Religious Affairs and Ethical Re-Orientation, is aimed at supporting vulnerable residents during the holy month.
As part of efforts to widen the scope of the programme, the governor increased the number of feeding centres from 101 last year to 130 centres across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.
Under the arrangement, each centre is to provide Iftar meals for 100 persons daily throughout Ramadan, with thousands of residents expected to benefit.
A breakdown of the approval showed that over ₦338 million was allocated for the procurement of rams and cooking condiments to facilitate feeding at the centres, while N60 million was earmarked for the payment of allowances to Muslim clerics who will conduct Tafsir sessions during the fasting period.
In addition, 2,300 bags of rice and 400 jerrycans of cooking oil were approved for distribution to the 130 centres to ensure seamless implementation.
Speaking on Friday at the flag-off of the distribution exercise in Damaturu, the Commissioner for Religious Affairs and Ethical Re-Orientation, Yusuf Umar, praised the governor for sustaining and expanding the initiative.
Umar said, “This gesture clearly demonstrates Governor Mai Mala Buni’s commitment to the welfare of the less privileged, particularly during Ramadan. The expansion of the feeding centres will enable more people to benefit.”
Umar noted that the programme had continued to ease the burden on many families across the state.
He added, “The Ramadan feeding and Tafsir initiative has become a reliable support system for numerous households. We call on members of the committees overseeing the centres to handle the items with utmost responsibility.”
He warned against diversion or mismanagement of materials, stressing that strict adherence to government guidelines was mandatory.
“There will be no tolerance for diversion. All officials involved must ensure transparency and accountability in the discharge of their duties,” he added.
Ramadan is a sacred month dedicated to fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection, representing one of the five pillars of Islam and symbolising complete devotion and submission to God.
The PUNCH