By: Adamu Muhd Usman.
As the month of Ramadan is knocking at the door, last year we witnessed the palliative programmes that took place, and there were benefits; it yielded fruitful results.
Though there were some hitches attached to last year’s or two years ago’s exercise, such as the delay in the takeoff of the programme on day one (1), which in some places extended to almost a week, and in others nine to ten (9–10) days after.
There was a kind of chuwa-chuwa, which led to the suspension of a commissioner and a few others. At this point, we want His Excellency, Malam Umar Namadi (FCA) a.k.a Danmodi to remember those lapses and take necessary measures, especially as the state government must have increased the feeding allowance compared to the previous two years. In 2024, it was about or over two billion naira (₦2bn), and in 2025, over four billion naira (₦4bn). This is something great and serious and should not be taken lightly.
I did not see the amount set aside for this year’s (2026) palliative in the Jigawa State Executive Council meeting held on Wednesday, 11th and Thursday, 12th February 2026, which was the number two (2) agenda in the council’s resolution.
As it reads, the only approval was for the 1447 A.H/2026 Ramadan Iftar Feeding Programme.
There will be two centres in each of the 287 political wards across the 27 Local Government Areas, as well as designated centres in tertiary institutions, correctional facilities, and social welfare institutions for inclusiveness and wider coverage. This is marvellous and worth extolling.
I also learnt that the programme is anticipated to provide 264,000 meal packages daily, benefiting an equal number of individuals each day throughout the Ramadan period. It is estimated that this palliative programme will deliver more than 23.8 million meals, reaching and benefiting over 7.9 million people statewide. This excludes guests, wayfarers, visitors, and all and sundry. Masha Allah. This is fantastic, lovely, encouraging, and supportive of the populace.
The governor’s decision is aimed at reducing the hardship people face as a result of the high cost of goods in the market, especially during the Ramadan fasting period.
This move is commendable for a first-time governor implementing it for the third time in his three years in office (2024–2026).
It is heartening that the government is aware of the many problems facing the people, especially the downtrodden, and is making giant efforts to bring succour to them. Unfortunately, the implementation sometimes leaves much to be desired. At times, the execution is not done properly.
There is apprehension that the Ramadan palliative released by the state government may not reach the majority who truly and desperately need it.
There is supposed to be faithfulness, commitment, punctuality, accountability, and transparency. I repeat, this is a special and uncommon initiative that the state governor, Malam Umar Namadi, cannot joke with, relax about, or ignore without proper monitoring, observation, visitation, and scrutiny.
This is because if the programme is faithfully, sincerely, honestly, devotedly and diligently executed very well, it will bring huge blessings, such as unity of purpose, peaceful coexistence, mutual understanding, political stability, guidance, positive societal change, and protection for the entire state, especially amid prevailing insecurity, immorality, and other vices.
I am therefore appealing to the state governor, Malam Umar to revisit last year’s reports—whether written or the oral testimonies and complaints—and to carefully select those who will work on this year’s programme, assigning God-fearing individuals to handle the activities of the palliative.
At this juncture, though wallahi (by God), I have never met him one-on-one, spoken with him on air, or exchanged even a text or WhatsApp message with him up till now—that is Hon. Auwal Sankara (Commissioner for Special Duties/Humanitarian Affairs)—whom I will extol for what he did last year in trying to justify his actions and responsibilities during that year’s Ramadan feeding. Weldone and keep it up.
Your Excellency, please do not allow bad eggs, saboteurs, antagonists, envious individuals, and agents of negative progress who want to bring setbacks to your government to pollute the system by turning this feeding exercise and other policies or agendas into avenues for embezzlement of government funds or nepotism by awarding contracts to family members or associates of government officials or politicians who cannot deliver or provide positive and the desired results. This kind of magnanimous, generous, compassionate, and rewarding programme should not become an avenue for fraud.
May Allah continue to help, protect, unite, and bless Jigawa State and guide its leaders aright.
An American guitarist, songwriter, and singer, Jimi Hendrix (1942–1970), once said, *“Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.”*
Adamu writes from Kafin-Hausa, Jigawa State.
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