From Mohammed Abubakar Dutse
For the second time in two years, the Jigawa state Commissioner for Special Duties, Auwalu Danladi Sankara, has received public approval and commendation for refunding more than N300 million for out of the 2025 free Ramadan feeding programme of the state government.
Similar commendation was offered when the said commissioner refunded more than N100 million for the 2024 feeding programme spearheaded by the state government.
It could be recalled that Jigawa State Government constituted a committee to organize the 2025 free Ramadan feeding programme with the budgetary provision of N4.8 billion, aimed at promoting food security, economic empowerment, and to support local businesses and farmers through procurement of food items.
The refund of N301 million was announced by the Commissioner of Information, Sagir Ahmed Musa, while briefing journalists on the outcomes and resolutions of the State Executive Council Meeting.
According to Musa, the 2025 Ramadan Iftar Feeding Programme operated in 634 feeding centers, serving an estimated 5.7 million meals during Ramadan.
“The programme fed 300 individuals per center daily and incurred a total expenditure of N4.8 billion,” he said.
Musa explained that “the programme had a significant impact on the state’s economy and citizens as over 190,000 individuals accessed quality, nutritious meals daily, while local procurement of N3.5 billion boosted businesses of farmers, vendors, and traders within the period.”
Additionally, the commissioner stated that “3,804 cooks earned N87,000 each, surpassing Grade Level 07 salaries.”
He however noted that “the State Executive Council, (SEC) commended the Iftar Committee, chaired by the Commissioner for Basic Education Lawan Yunusa Danzomo, for its excellent work. The Council also endorsed the committee as the standing committee for the 2026 programme”.
Musa also expressed further that the Ministry for Special Duties was specifically commended for its role in the success of the programme, adding that “the Council’s decision to retain the committee is to ensures continuity and builds on the progress made in the 2025 programme.”
Also participants at the government/civic engagement forum in Guri LGA were unanimous in lauding the commissioner for his sincerity in refunding the monies, even in the face of the prevailing economic hardship.
For Malam Abba Saidu Guri the gesture of returning an unspent money is an indication of the following the example of the governor.
Hajia Maryam Sani Abdullahi in an interview noted that she has never witnessed such a display of honesty and sincerity by public servants.
Her words, “The refund of this huge amount of N301 million by the committee through ministry of Special Duties under the leadership of it’s commissioner Auwalu Danladi Sankara deserves commendation as it shows prudent management of public funds as well as a sign of accountability, justice and transparency from the commissioner and the committee at large”, she said.
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