By Abdulkareem Haruna

In an effort to mitigate the economic impact of the fuel subsidy removal, the Borno state government continued its food palliative distribution to selected vulnerable individuals on Tuesday, Aug. 22. 

A total of 3,000 household heads were recipients of this food aid.

The food aid, comprising rice and maize, is funded by a portion of the ₦5 billion recently disbursed by the Nigerian federal government to various states.

The federal government clarified that 54% of the ₦5 billion was a grant, with the remaining 46% being a loan to be repaid by the state and local governments.

Governor Babagana Zulum, who oversaw the distribution in the Maisandari ward, stated that 2,000 individuals from each electoral community were chosen to receive the aid. Maisandari was allocated 3,000 slots due to its larger population.

Governor Zulum appreciated the federal government’s assistance, emphasizing its significant role in easing the people’s hardship. However, he pointed out that the 100,000 households targeted by the federal government fall short of the number of vulnerable individuals requiring such support in two local government areas of Borno.

“We are initiating the distribution of food aid to 100,000 selected households as instructed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, under the presidential initiative for easing economic hardships,” Zulum stated.

He further mentioned that the state government had already started a similar food distribution initiative targeting 300,000 households.

“With the federal government’s support, today we are here to distribute palliative to 100,000 vulnerable households under the Presidential Initiative, this is in addition to the 300,000 households Borno State Government had rolled out early this month”, Zulum told journalists at former Bakasi IDPs camp, venue of the distribution exercise. 

“You may recall that the federal government has announced N5 billion to all states a,nd with that amount ,we intend to reach an additional 100,000 vulnerable families.”

Governor Zulum committed to providing food aid to the vulnerable, particularly those displaced from their communities and unable to access their farmlands due to security concerns.

Recipients of the aid from various demographics expressed gratitude for the government’s timely intervention. Amina, a widow, and mother of four, said

“This food will significantly help my family. We are grateful to the government for remembering us in these challenging times.”

Musa, a displaced farmer, and another beneficiary, said, “We appreciate this support. It will help us feed our families as we cannot access our farms due to insecurity.”

The distribution of food aid is a much-needed relief for many in Borno state, as the removal of the fuel subsidy continues to exacerbate economic difficulties. The government’s intervention is viewed as a positive step towards alleviating many Nigerians’ financial struggles.