The Bauchi State Government has intervened in the viral video incident involving a distressed food vendor, Aisha Ibrahim of Northern Varieties Restaurant.
According to a press released by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management on Thursday, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed directed the Ministry to investigate and assist the vendor.
After investigation, the ministry paid N7,516,000 to cover the cost of the unclaimed food and miscellaneous expenses. The food was prepared for a sensitization training organized by Malaria Consortium, an international NGO. The agreement was unsigned, leading to the dispute.
The Press release reads:
VIRAL VIDEO OF BAUCHI FOOD VENDOR: GOV. BALA ABDULQADIR MUHAMMAD CON PAYS OVER 7.5 MILLION NAIRA TO AISHA IBRAHIM OF (NORTHERN VARIETIES RESTAURANT)
I, Hajara Yakubu Wanka, Honorable Commissioner of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Bauchi State, hereby issue this press release regarding a recent incident that has gained significant public attention.
On the morning of Wednesday, 26th June 2024, a viral video circulated on social media platforms showing a Bauchi-based food vendor in distress over a failed catering service obligation. This video caught the attention of His Excellency Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed CON (Kauran Bauchi), the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, who promptly instructed my ministry to investigate the claim and assist the vendor.
Following a thorough investigation and due diligence carried out by my ministry, we have paid the sum of SEVEN MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED and SIXTEEN THOUSAND NAIRA ONLY (N7,516,000) to cover the cost of the unclaimed food and other miscellaneous expenses incurred by the food vendor, Aisha Ibrahim of Northern Varieties Restaurant Bauchi.
Our investigation revealed that Ms. Ibrahim had an agreement, which was later found to be unsigned, with one Babajide Aiyegbusi, an Admin and Logistics Officer with Malaria Consortium (An International NGO). This agreement was for the supply of tea breaks and lunches for participants in an upcoming sensitization training organized for three Local Government Areas: Bauchi, Alkaleri, and Kirfi in the Southern Senatorial Zone of Bauchi State.
In the viral video, Ms. Ibrahim was seen crying while displaying the packaged food and appealing to well-meaning Nigerians to purchase the cooked food to help her pay off the debt she had incurred in fulfilling this unsigned catering obligation.
In response to this situation, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, directed my ministry to not only pay for the food but also to immediately distribute it to needy members of the public, particularly hospitals, poor and vulnerable persons, orphanages, and other needy clusters within the Bauchi Metropolis.
I can confirm that my dedicated team and I have immediately implemented this directive. We have paid Ms. Ibrahim the full amount of N7,516,000, covering the total cost of the food items and other expenses she incurred. We are also proceeding with the distribution of the food as instructed by His Excellency.
I must note with concern that this case is not the first of its kind in our state. Therefore, I strongly urge all parties involved in any transactions to always articulate their dealings in a proper contractual agreement before commencing services.
Furthermore, I am calling for an urgent need for more sensitization and strengthening of communication strategies by all Government MDAs, the organized private sector, and Traditional Institutions. This is crucial for proper understanding and communication between all parties in any business undertaking or contractual interaction to avoid and prevent future recurrences of such incidents.
I also appeal to the media to champion advocacy on the need for parties to understand and respect contractual agreements fully.
Lastly, I want to inform the public that the food vendor’s claim is still under vigorous investigation by security operatives. We will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate actions as necessary.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Hajara Yakubu Wanka
Hon. Commissioner
Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Bauchi State.
