By Malam GAMBO Hamza

It is indeed a period of stock taking at all levels of Government in Nigeria but more importantly at the Federal level where Ministers and other political appointees are being assessed on their performance and their role in providing the much needed dividends of democracy to mark the year anniversary of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Administration of Bola Tinubu.

One public officer who stands out as a strong pillar to the Tinubu Administration and a silent achiever, is Mal Umar Yashi, Executive Director Humanitarian Affairs of the North East Development Commission NEDC. The Commission was essentially established to address developmental challenges in the North East region comprising of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States following the deadly Boko Haram insurgency.

An estimated 14.8 million people have been affected with thousands of lives lost and millions of people including children and widows displaced, thus creating humanitarian crisis in the Zone. This is apart from the destruction of private and public infrastructures including homes, schools, hospitals, roads, bridges and markets estimated at billions of Naira.

It is therefore instructive to note that the re-appointment of Mal Yashi, couldn’t have come at a better time than now when the people were facing severe hardship couple with the current socio-economic situation in the country which has adversely affected the living condition of the people.

He wasted no time but swung into action, working round the clock to provide succour and relief to the people through extensive humanitarian services in line with the goals and mandate of the Tinubu Administration anchored on its Renewed Hope Agenda.

As a first step, the Humanitarian Affairs Directorate headed by Mallam Yashi, initiated an ambitious intervention soon after the removal of fuel subsidy last year in order to cushion the effect of hardship on the people.

This intervention covering the six States of the region, was flagged off by no other person than the Vice President Kashim Shettima who launched the distribution of food and non-food items worth fifteen billion naira to six states of the North East region in his first official engagement outside the Nation’s Capital.

A breakdown of the items distributed include 250,000 bags of rice(25kg); 81,000 cartons of Spaghetti/Macaroni; 40,000 gallons of Vegetable Oil; 80,000 pieces of Blankets; 80,000 pieces of Mats; 80,000 pieces of Shadda for Men; 40,000 pieces of Wrappers for Women and 80,000 sets of Children Wears.

In addition, out of the 250,000 bags of rice (worth about N10 Billion), 65,000 bag were shared to the six State Governments for State-wide distribution, 36,000 bags to the 18 Senatorial Districts, 72,000 bags to the 48-Federal Constituencies and 30,000 bags to State Assembly Constituencies in the North-East Region. This distribution pattern was designed to encourage wider reach to the vulnerable population and promote inclusiveness.

As if that was not enough, the Commission again embarked on another major Intervention in March this year which coincided with the Muslim Ramadan fast and also the Christian Easter celebrations.

This time around, 300,000 bags of rice (25kg), 200,000 cartons of spaghetti and macaroni, 100,000 cartons of sugar and 100,000 bags of branded mats, were shared to the people in states of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe and Bauchi.

Also distributed were another 100,000 branded blankets, 100,000 men clothing (shedda) 100,000 women wrappers, 100,000 pieces of children clothing and 100,000 cartons of vegetables oil.

Similarly, the Commission also extended hands of support to vulnerable people in Society last month with 2,556 vulnerable people and 106 clubs and associations in Borno state alone receiving various palliative items. The gesture was carried out simultaneously across the six States of the region with each State distributing over 24,000 bags of rice and other assorted items to the vulnerable persons. In fact no Community in the region that was in need of support and assistance was ever neglected by Mal Yashi’s Department.

Beside the distribution of palliative package and to the credit of the Humanitarian Affairs Directorate, thousands of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs from across the region who were scattered around and taking shelter at various IDP Camps, have continued to be resettled in their various Communities. It is estimated that over one million people have so far been resettled in their original places of abode while the process continues

Furthermore, the policy of reintegration of victims of the insurgency into society. Is being vigorously pursued with many of the repentant Boko Haram members who have surrendered, now re-integrated into society.

The outpouring of commendations and praises by various benefitting communities, are indicative of their joy and happiness with the Tinubu Administration for coming to their aid at this critical moment of need.

For such individuals and Communities, the re-appointment of Mal Yashi was the wisest decision ever taken by the Tinubu Administration because of his foresight and outstanding contributions to the mitigation of humanitarian crisis as well as his global standing as a hardworking, resourceful, meticulous and above all, a shrewd administrator ever persistent and resilient in the face of challenges or setbacks. Mal Gambo Hamza writes from Jos, Plateau State... gambohamz@gmail.com