Musa Muhammad Hadejia
Jigawa State Government has established more than 600 Ramadan feeding centres across the state to provide iftar meals to over seven million underprivileged residents during the holy month.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Hadiza Abdulwahab, disclosed this during a surprise inspection of some Ramadan cooking centres in Malam Madori Local Government Area.
The inspection team, which included special advisers and assistants to the state governor, visited several centres where meals are currently being prepared, including Dunari Centres 1 and 2, Malam Madori Centres 1 and 2, and centres located in Fateka Ward on the outskirts of the local government area.
Speaking to journalists after the visit, Abdulwahab said the inspection was aimed at ensuring that the feeding programme meets the required standards and reaches the intended beneficiaries.
She noted the need to review the number of bean cakes (kosai) included in each meal pack, suggesting an increase from four pieces to between five and six.
She also urged vendors to ensure that the approved daily quota of 420 takeaway packs, consisting of jollof rice, kunu, and bean cake, is prepared and distributed to designated feeding points from each cooking centre.
The commissioner added that the monitoring exercise forms part of efforts to ensure the success of Governor Umar Namadi’s 12-point development agenda.
Also speaking, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Industrial Cluster, Usman Yakubu Kacakama, urged vendors to maintain proper hygiene at the cooking sites and adhere to the approved food preparation standards.
He emphasized that vendors must use the specified quantities of 14 mudu each of rice, beans, and millet in preparing the meals.
Similarly, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Higher Education, Abba Umar, called on elected councillors to ensure that the required food items are delivered to the centres before cooking begins.
The inspection team included members of the media, representatives of non-governmental organisations, security personnel, and social media influencers.
