Ramadan Meals Project Creates Jobs, Supports Women in Kano

The ongoing Ramadan feeding programme in Kano State is not only helping thousands of residents break their fast daily, but is also generating employment and boosting economic activities across the state.

The initiative, which provides meals to fasting residents during the holy month, has created opportunities for many women and small-scale workers involved in food preparation, supply and distribution.

One of the key beneficiaries of the programme is Hajiya Hajara Abdullahi, the Chief Executive Officer of a restaurant contracted to prepare and distribute breakfast meals during Ramadan.

Speaking when members of the Ramadan Feeding Committee visited her food preparation centre for inspection, Hajara explained that her company currently supplies about 13,000 plates of meals daily across 13 distribution centres in different parts of the state.

She noted that the large-scale operation has opened employment opportunities for hundreds of people, particularly women.

According to her, the company has engaged about 250 workers for the exercise, with some earning ₦200,000 while others receive ₦100,000 for the duration of the Ramadan period.

Hajara said the programme has improved the economic condition of many families.
“Many of the women working with us are benefiting from this opportunity. The initiative is not just about feeding people, it is also empowering women and improving livelihoods,” she said.
She added that meeting the daily demand requires large quantities of food ingredients.

“Every day we cook using about 300 bags of food items and slaughter three cows to ensure the meals served are nutritious, hygienic and of good quality,” she explained.

According to her, the programme has also created business opportunities for food suppliers, livestock traders, transporters and other service providers who supply materials needed for the daily cooking.

Chairman of the Ramadan Feeding Committee and Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Alhaji Auwal Tijjani Sani, who led the inspection team, expressed satisfaction with the level of hygiene and organization at the cooking centre.

He commended the company for maintaining acceptable standards and urged them to sustain the quality throughout the Ramadan period.

The commissioner said the feeding programme demonstrates the commitment of the Kano State Government to the welfare of its people.
“The governor has directed the committee to ensure that the food distributed to the public is safe, nutritious and prepared under hygienic conditions,” he said.

Tijjani added that five major companies were engaged to handle the Ramadan feeding programme across the state, while the committee continues to monitor their activities to ensure compliance with required standards.

Also speaking during the visit, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Amina HOD, praised the hygiene and packaging of the meals.

She noted that beyond feeding the fasting population, the programme is also creating economic opportunities for women.

For many of the workers, suppliers and vendors involved, the Ramadan feeding initiative has become more than a welfare programme, providing a source of income and supporting businesses during the holy month.