By Abdulkareem Haruna

In his usual remarkable act of empathetic leadership, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, who represents Borno Central Senatorial District, has last week provided a large scale palliative support for schools in his constituents following the recent devastating floods. 

It could be recalled that when the September 10 floods ravaged the substantial portions of Maiduguri  and Jere council areas of Borno state it left  many schools in ruins and disrupting the education of countless children.

Recognizing the urgent need for support, Senator Lawan took decisive action by donating a substantial N50 million to the state government to aid flood victims. Going beyond immediate financial assistance, he also provided critical educational resources to ensure that the children of Borno can continue their studies without undue hardship.

Some of the donated exercise books from Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan

In a solemn ceremony where he presented his generous contribution, Senator Lawan handed over a wide array of instructional materials to Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum. The donation, which included 100 whiteboards, 10,000 pieces of 60-leaf exercise books, 10,000 pieces of 40-leaf exercise books, 2,000 mathematical sets, and various other essential supplies where well appreciated by the state government. 

This gesture, he said is aimed at easing the financial burden on families struggling to replace lost educational materials. He also expressed his unflagging commitment to the educational welfare of his constituents, stating, 

“This donation will assist many of our students and their parents as the burden of purchasing some of the instructional materials will be lifted off their budget.” 

The Senior Advocate of  Nigeria urged other public-spirited individuals and organizations to join in supporting the flood victims, describing the disaster as catastrophic.

Senator Lawan, who chairs the Committee on Special Duties, emphasized the importance of sustaining efforts to help those affected by the floods. 

“The first donations I made to the state government were for immediate palliatives… but I felt I should do more to assist my constituents,” he explained, underscoring his ongoing dedication to community service.

Governor Zulum, who personally received the donation on behalf of the state, commended Senator Lawan for his consistent and multifaceted support. 

“I’m aware of all the good works you’ve been doing, and your contributions are not in the education sector alone but to other sectors,” the governor noted, highlighting the senator’s broad impact across various areas of community development.

Senator Lawan’s actions, in the views of The Humanitarian Times,  stand as a mark to his unwavering commitment to both immediate and long-term recovery efforts in Borno. 

“By focusing on education, he has not only addressed the current needs of we parents, but also invests in the future of our youth, by ensuring that they have the tools necessary to continue their education and pursue their dreams despite the challenges posed by natural disasters, ” said Abdullahi Adams, a civil servant.