By Abdulkareem Haruna

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, oversaw the distribution of N175 million in cash and food items to  50,000 vulnerable residents in Dikwa town of Dikwa Local Government Area. 

The distribution, which began on Thursday and concluded on Friday morning, aimed to provide much-needed aid to those in need.

During the distribution, each of the 35,000 female recipients received one wrapper and N5,000 in cash. Meanwhile, over 15,000 male heads of households received one bag of rice and one bag of maize grain each.

The governor emphasized the significance of the palliative distribution, stating, “We are here in Dikwa town of Dikwa Local Government Council to distribute food and non-food items to vulnerable persons. For us in Borno State, the distribution of palliative started in May 2011 because of our peculiar situation. I think for us, it’s a continuation.”

Happy beneficiaries leaving with their food bags

Governor Zulum has a history of sharing food items during visits to local communities affected by the prolonged Boko Haram insurgency. 

However, in light of the withdrawal of the fuel subsidy, he has intensified the distribution efforts. The governor’s current cycle of distribution aims to reach approximately 400,000 people, with a focus on communities affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.

In addition to the distribution of relief items, Governor Zulum has provided free transportation for farmers, introduced 80 buses as part of a metro transport scheme, and facilitated the distribution of N2 billion in interest-free loans for workers through the Nigerian Labour Congress. 

These measures reflect ongoing efforts to alleviate the impact of fuel subsidy withdrawal.