Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has supervised the distribution of food aid to over 52,500 families in seven local government areas in the Southern part of the state in order to alleviate the hardship caused by inflation and the current economic challenges bedeviling the country.
The distribution took place on Sunday, 17 March, 2024, at the Biu township stadium.
The benefiting local governments include Biu, Shani, Chibok, Askira-Uba, Kwaya Kusar, Bayo and Hawul.
Zulum was quoted in a statement to have said: “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.”
“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.
He disclosed that: “Each beneficiary will collect 25kg bag of rice and 25kg bag of maize.”
According to the statement, 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.
Meanwhile, the Governor also distributed over N100 million to 2,000 youth and women to support them in cultivating their farmlands.
He said: “In addition to the food distribution, we are giving out N100 million 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.
The occasion was attended by Borno APC Chairman, Bello Ayuba; Senator Ali Ndume; House of Representatives member, Engr. Bukar Talba; Deputy Speaker of Borno Assembly, Abdullahi Askira; and members of the House of Assembly representing the benefiting constituencies among other government officials.
