JANET SAMUEL, ABUJA
President of the 9th Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has urged Nigerians to stay hopeful in the face of challenges occasioned by the removal of petrol subsidy by the federal government.
Lawan made the appeal, on Saturday, while flagging-off the distribution of 9,000 bags of grains as palliatives to his constituents in Yobe North Senatorial District.
The intervention scheme which was undertaken by his foundation – The Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan (SAIL) Empowerment Foundation held at Filin Katuzu in Bade local government area of Yobe State.
The beneficiaries of the intervention are from 60 wards in the six local government areas of Yobe North Senatorial District.
Also to benefit are Muslim religious groups, Christian communities and Persons with Disabilities.
Lawan, while speaking with Newsmen at the venue of the event, sympathized with Nigerians over the high cost of living that trailed the removal of petrol subsidy.
He expressed optimism that the policies of the President Bola Tinubu-led government would overtime yield the much desired result.
“We are in dire straits; most of our people are in need of foodstuffs because of recent events and situations and, of course, interventions of government that would yield the desired results in the future.
“People are in serious trouble of feeding themselves. But the federal government has taken a lot of measures, some of which include giving N5 billion to every state; and 5 or 6 trucks of grains to every state including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“This intervention is my token to complement what the federal government and my state has done for my community. These 9,000 bags of grains that I have given is a way of saying, ‘I know your situation, I can do only this, I wish I could do better.’
The former Senate President explained that the distribution of grains as palliatives targets the most vulnerable of his constituents who are unable to cope with high living costs.
