Yobe to Spend N72 Million On Ramadan Feeding, Preaching

The Yobe State government said yesterday that it will spend N72 million on the provision of free meals for 16,500 people daily and financial support for Tafsir and enlightenment centres during the Ramadan period.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Bukar Modu Junbun, disclosed this to newsmen yesterday in Damaturu.

He said the state has 33 feeding centres to feed 500 people each, 157 Tafsir centres, 170 Nasiha centres and 160 centres.

"This is done to harmonize the concept of faith, preaching and feeding, and to bring an end to religious conflicts in the state," he said.

He said the feeding programme also targets internally displaced persons.

"We directed a committee to take census of IDPs; where they are, and identify cooking centres for them," he said.

Jumbun said despite decrease in statutory allocation from the federation account, the governor approved N60 million for feeding the less privileged, and N12 million for financial support to preachers.

"Its highly commendable that when other states are owing months of staff salaries, our governor was able to approve such an amount," he said.

He called on governments of other states and well-to-do people in the society to assist the less privileged.