Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has distributed food items to 52,500 families, and shared a N100 million grant to women and youth farmers to alleviate suffering and ensure food security in South Borno.
The governor, who supervised the distribution of the palliatives at Biu Township stadium, said seven LGAs of Biu, Shani, Chibok, Askira-Uba, Kwaya Kusar, Bayo and Hawul benefited from the gesture.
“This morning, 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.
Also, to ensure food security in the area, Zulum distributed N100m to 2,000 women and youth 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.