On Tuesday, 2 April, 2024, all the 31 local government areas in Akwa Ibom witnessed the dawn of a novel initiative – the Flag off the Free Food Distribution Programme of Governor Umo Eno. The flag off signalled the official commencement of the programme across all the 31 local government areas, which is aimed at cushioning the hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy. The Free Food Distribution Programme is a fallout, or better still, a direct manifestation of the promise by the governor last week during his visit to Itam Market in Itu Local Government Area that, under the Bulk Purchase Agency of the government, vulnerable people whose names appear on the existing Social Register would be given free food. This will serve as a temporary measure to address poverty among the vulnerable group of individuals, while the medium and long term measures are expected to snowball into reality soon.The Free Food Initiative of Pst Umo Eno is nothing but an act that aligns with the primary responsibility of any government the World over. The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) provides that the primary function of the government shall be the security and welfare of its citizens. This presupposes that every government that exists does so as its chief function and responsibility to its citizens. The mention of welfare and security in the constitution clearly implies that even if a government for instance, fails in other areas, failure in providing welfare and security for its citizens cannot be a contemplation. Therefore, for Governor Umo Eno to prioritize the food security and welfare of the people speaks loud of his understanding of what a government was set up to do. It clearly shows that he has a clear picture of the times that Akwa Ibom people are in; times where survival is not a guarantee, but a luxurious desire of men. This is not say that other states are not working out something for their people, but the swift response, coordination and approach to ensuring that the poor are provided for, however little, is commendable. While we commend Governor Umo Eno for this vision, it is however also instructive that the government should realise that the Free Food Distribution Programme only targets a miniature or a fragmented portion of the entire population of the state. This means that a lot of Akwa Ibom people who deserve to be provided for, are not captured in the Social Register. Even those who are recipients of the gestures, this may not completely address their food needs or give them food security as it were.It is therefore, on the strength of this that we urge Pastor Umo Eno to also ensure that the same speed, coordination and importance given to the Free Food Initiative, is given to the medium and long term measures to ameliorate the current hardship. This is imperative because other measures and initiatives will benefit a greater number of the people than this current one which favours only a scratch of the over seven million population of Akwa Ibom State. The Akwa Ibom State Government should also look into other areas like employment, improvement in electricity and other aspects as areas that can work as a free food plan for citizens outside of the Social Register coverage. If government will be able to successfully run the Free Food Distribution Programme and in the same breath, put out other measures, both medium and long term, that can immediately capture a greater portion of people in the state, the Governor and government would have achieved a significant mileage.