Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, supervised the distribution of food aid to over 52,500 families in seven local government areas of Southern Borno to alleviate the hardship caused by inflation and the current economic problems bedeviling the country.
The distribution took place on Sunday at the Biu township stadium.
The benefiting local governments include Biu, Shani, Chibok, Askira-Uba, Kwaya Kusar, Bayo and Hawul.
“Today, we are in Biu to provide palliatives to 52,500 vulnerable families in southern Borno. This is in continuation of our efforts to provide food and non-food items to the less privileged in society,” Zulum said.
“We have not consistently given food items to people in southern Borno because they are not deeply affected by the insurgency. However, due to the current hike in food prices, the government has decided to come in and support the people with food aid”, the governor added.
“Each beneficiary will collect 25kg bag of rice and 25kg bag of maize,” Governor Zulum stated.
In Biu local government area, 17,500 families each got a bag of rice and a bag of maize grain. 5,000 families benefited from Shani, Bayo, Kwaya Kusar and Hawul local government areas, while in Askira-Uba and Chibok, respectively, 7,500 families received Zulum’s food palliatives.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum also distributed over N100m to 2,000 youth and women to support them in cultivating their farmlands.
“In addition to the food distribution, we are giving out N100m grant to 2,000 beneficiaries, each receiving N50,000. This grant is for them to use in cultivating their farmlands,” the governor reiterated.
“We hope the money will help them in their farming activities”, he stated.
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Governor of Borno, Umar Usman Kadafur, who hails from Biu, urged beneficiaries to make good use of the food gesture and grant provided by the governor.
The occasion was attended by Borno APC Chairman, Bello Ayuba, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, House of Representatives member, Engr Bukar Talba, Deputy Speaker of Borno Assembly, Abdullahi Musa Askira, and members of the House of Assembly representing the benefiting constituencies among other government officials.
