Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki, alongside leaders from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), and other Christian bodies in the state, has launched the second phase of the Christian Feeding Programme (CFP). This initiative aims to distribute 56,250 10kg bags of rice across the three senatorial districts to alleviate people’s suffering.
The governor inaugurated the distribution in Edo South Senatorial District and inspected the warehouse at the Diocese of Benin Anglican Communion on Evbiemwen Street in Benin City. During this visit, CAN Chairman Apostle Irekpono Omoike provided a breakdown of the rice distribution across the state’s senatorial districts:
- Edo South: 21,875 bags
- Edo Central: 15,625 bags
- Edo North: 18,750 bags
In total, 56,250 bags of rice will be distributed in this second phase.
Obaseki highlighted that the first phase of the programme took place about three months ago to help alleviate suffering. He expressed gratitude to the Christian leaders for their dedication to the programme’s success and emphasized that the initiative is non-political, being managed entirely by the Church.
The governor also urged the Federal Government to learn from Edo State’s example, noting the success of the Christian Feeding Programme, which has reached over 50,000 families.
“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 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 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 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 they will not put themselves into more problems.
“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”.
Governor Obaseki announced that the third phase of the Christian Feeding Programme will allow his administration to enroll citizens in various initiatives, including conditional cash transfers, skilled training programs, agricultural support, trade, and micro-finance assistance.
CAN Chairman Apostle Irekpono Omoike expressed gratitude to the governor for his efforts and the palliative measures aimed at mitigating the impact of subsidy removal on the populace. He noted that the governor has undertaken a comprehensive palliative program to alleviate hardship, with the CFP being a significant part of these efforts.
