The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, at the weekend, flagged off the second phase of the Christian Feeding Programme (CFP) with the distribution of 56,250 bags of 10kg rice across the State as part of efforts to alleviate suffering amid the current economic challenges.
Obaseki was joined by leaders and members of the State’s chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and other Christian bodies in the State.
As part of activities for the flag-off in Edo South Senatorial District, the governor inspected the warehouse in Benin City, Edo State where the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Edo State Chapter, Apst. Irekpono Omoike gave the governor the breakdown of the distribution to various Senatorial districts of the State.
According to the breakdown, 21,875 bags of rice will be distributed in Edo South while Edo Central and Edo North will distribute 15,625 and 18, 750 bags respectively.
Obaseki while reeling the gains of the first phase of the programme launched about three months ago, said over 50,000 families have benefitted from the programme, thanking the Christian leaders for their commitment to making the programme successful.
He said, “If things are done properly in this Country, the resources of the nation will go a long way to serve the people. We know there are challenges but the current leadership is not helping Nigerians. Look at how this programme has been run successfully and transparently, the Federal Government should come to learn from Edo State.
“The organisation of the CFP has been successful and able to reach about 50,000 families with food. It’s about transparency, honesty and willingness to serve the people and willingness to serve public good rather than private interest. This is a drop in the ocean compared to what the Federal Government claims they are doing. The world is currently challenged but the government needs to come out clean and transparent for people to trust them and collaborate with them to come out of the problem facing us.
“We appeal to the people not to take action that will make our situation worse than it is today. In the next few days, we will be moving around talking to our people and citizens on how to resolve this issue so that we will not put ourselves into more problems.”
He added, “This programme will be in three phases. We are through with the first phase and this second phase is to correct some of the mistakes in the first phase as trust has been built. It’s also to consolidate on what we have done in the first phase.”
The governor said the third phase of the programme will enable his administration to enrol the people on the conditional cash transfer, skilled programme, and support in agriculture and trade, among others.
