Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State supervised the distribution of food aid to over 52,000 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.

This is as Senator representing Southern Borno, Mohammed Ali Ndume also urged people in the constituency not to sell the food and non -food items donated to them by Governor Zulum, but to use it in cushioning the current economic hardships.

The governor said, “This morning, we are in Biu to provide palliatives to 52,000 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.

“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, 17,000 families each got a bag of rice and a bag of maize grain. 5,000 families benefited from Shani, Bayo, Kwaya Kusar, Chibok and Hawul local government areas, while in Askira-Uba, 10,000 bags of rice and maize were given to Uba and Askira- Emirates.

Distributes N100m to 2,000 youth, women farmers

Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum distributed over N100m to 2,000 youth and women to support them in cultivating their farmlands

Zulum said, “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.

“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.

Dont sell palliatives given to you by government – Ndume urges constituents

Senator representing Southern Borno, Mohammed Ali Ndume has urged people in his constituency not to sale food and non -food items donated to them by Governor Babagana Zulum, but to use it in cushioning the current economic hardships.

Ndume who is the Chief Whip at the national assembly commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for given approval of palliatives worth N200 million to each Senator for onward distribution to people in their respective communities.

He noted he has since embarked on distribution of such palliatives to his constituents in order to complement good efforts of Borno State Government under the leadership of Governor Zulum.

His words, ” I want to use this opportunity to thank our Governor for considering the people of Southern Borno under this very difficult and expensive situation. This palliatives is coming at a right time because we are in person of Ramadan Kareem.

“At least, each of the 52,000 beneficiaries will go home with 25kg bags of rice and maize, while 2,000 youths including women were given N50,000 each as empowerment grants by the state government. This is highly commendable.

“Likewise, I thank President Bola Tinubu for supporting each Senator with grains and rice worth N200 million. As you can see Borno has taken the lead in distribution of palliatives more than any state in the whole of the federation, and I want to urge our people to maintain law and order throughout the distribution exercise,” Ndume stated.

In a related development, Governor Zulum unveiled Water projects in Azare, the headquarters of Hawul local government area.

According to the Commissioner Ministry of Water Resources, Engr Tijjani Goni, the Water tank is about 965 liters which would be powered by solar borehole that will distribute water to Azare town and it’s environs