By Abdullahi Jalalludeen
Beyond providing meals to thousands of fasting residents, the ongoing Ramadan feeding programme in Kano is also creating jobs and stimulating economic activities for many families and small businesses across the state.
At the center of this impact is Hajiya Hajara Abdullahi, the Chief Executive Officer of a restaurant contracted to prepare and distribute breakfast meals during the Ramadan period.
Speaking during a visit by members of the Ramadan Feeding Committee to the food preparation centre, Hajara revealed that her company supplies about 13,000 plates of meals daily across 13 distribution centres since the commencement of the holy month.
According to her, the scale of the operation has created employment opportunities for many people, particularly women.
“We currently employ about 250 workers for the Ramadan feeding programme. Some of them earn ₦200,000 while others earn ₦100,000 for the duration of the Ramadan period,” she said.
She explained that the initiative goes beyond feeding the fasting population, noting that it is empowering many women and boosting livelihoods.
“Many of the women working with us are being empowered through this gesture. The programme has significantly improved their economic wellbeing,” Hajara added.
To meet the daily demand, the company processes large quantities of food ingredients.
“On a daily basis we cook about 300 bags of food items and slaughter three cows to ensure that the meals are hygienic, nutritious and of high quality,” she said.
Hajara emphasized that the programme has triggered a chain of economic activities, as suppliers of food items, livestock traders, transporters and other service providers are benefiting from the increased demand.
“The amount of money exchanging hands through this programme is improving businesses and empowering several individuals,” she noted.
Chairman of the Ramadan Feeding Committee and Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Alhaji Auwal Tijjani Sani, who led the inspection team, expressed satisfaction with the quality and hygiene of the food being prepared.
He commended the company for maintaining high standards and urged it to sustain the effort throughout the Ramadan period.
According to him, the Ramadan feeding initiative reflects the commitment of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to the welfare of the people.
“The governor has the people at heart, which is why he initiated this Ramadan feeding programme. He has also directed the committee to ensure that the food distributed is of good quality and prepared under hygienic conditions,” he said.
Alhaji Tijjani explained that five major companies were engaged to handle the Ramadan feeding across the state, adding that all the companies are under constant monitoring by the committee.
“Our responsibility is to ensure strict supervision so that the people receive safe and quality meals,” he added.
Also speaking during the visit, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Amina HOD, commended the hygiene and packaging of the food, noting that the programme is not only feeding people but also creating opportunities for women to earn income during the holy month.
She urged the company to maintain the standard throughout the exercise.
For many workers, vendors and suppliers involved in the programme, the Ramadan feeding initiative has become more than a social intervention it is a lifeline that is strengthening household incomes and stimulating the local economy during the holy month.
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