Plateau State Government Allocates N300 Million for Eid-el-Fitr Palliatives
In a significant move to support the Muslim community, the Plateau State Government has expended a substantial sum of N300 million to procure palliatives for the Eid-el-Fitr celebration, marking the conclusion of the 2026 Ramadan fasting season. This initiative, announced on Tuesday in Jos, aims to enhance the festive period by providing essential food items to vulnerable groups across the state.
Distribution Across Local Government Areas
The funds were utilized to purchase assorted food commodities, including rice, millets, and spaghetti, which are being distributed across all 17 local government areas of Plateau State. The distribution effort is spearheaded by the Sallah Palliative Distribution Committee, chaired by Hon. Abubakar Yahaya Kanam, who also serves as the Special Adviser to Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Intergovernmental Affairs.
Kanam emphasized that the beneficiaries of this program include vulnerable women, numerous youths, and clergymen, ensuring that the support reaches those most in need. To promote transparency and accountability in the process, 24 liaison officers, appointed by Governor Mutfwang from various constituencies, have been engaged in profiling beneficiaries.
Commitment to Inclusivity and Unity
During the announcement, Kanam highlighted the government's dedication to fostering unity and compassion. "Today, we gather here as is customary during every Sallah, to celebrate and demonstrate the mercy, love, and benevolence of the good government of Plateau State towards the Muslim community," he stated. "We have been provided with some palliatives to share, showing that we stand united as one."
He further noted that this year's distribution is particularly significant, as it reflects a broader commitment to inclusivity. "Every Christmas, we realise that the Muslim Ummah also benefits from the Christmas palliative initiative. Christians will benefit from it too," Kanam explained, underscoring the government's efforts to ensure equitable support for all religious groups.
Governor's Generous Allocation and Call for Support
Kanam acknowledged Governor Mutfwang's generous allocation of up to N300 million for this exercise, funded by taxpayers' money. "We are not God, so we cannot capture everybody. But what we can do as a government, we should try as much as possible to do it honestly and diligently," he remarked. "As you can see, these grains are not the only grains here. We are progressing stage by stage to ensure we capture almost everyone."
He also urged the Muslim Ummah to unite and show loyalty and support for the current administration, emphasizing the collaborative effort required to effectively utilize public resources for community welfare.
