By Abdulkareem Haruna

Maiduguri, Borno State – Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan (APC-Borno Central) on Tuesday distributed economic empowerment items and cash totaling over N790 million to 3,097 constituents in Maiduguri. 

This marks the second phase of his  empowerment initiative, aimed at bolstering the livelihoods of individuals grappling with the long-term effects of the Boko Haram insurgency and the recent devastating floods of September 2024.

The distributed items included 51 “Hijek” mini van for commercial transportation, 130 large deep freezers for food preservation businesses, 31 additional tricycles, 100 sewing machines for tailoring enterprises, 229 grinding machines for processing agricultural products, and 350 agricultural tool kits comprising sprayers, rice harvesters, and fertilizer. 

Each beneficiary of these items also received N20,000 in cash to support their ventures. Furthermore, 550 young persons and women were granted N100,000 each to facilitate their economic empowerment.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Maiduguri, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum commended Senator Lawan for his significant contribution to the state’s ongoing recovery efforts. 

“I have known Senator Kaka Shehu for his generosity. He has always provided this kind of support to his constituents and I am proud of him,” Zulum said.

The governor urged beneficiaries to utilize the items effectively to become self-reliant and contribute to the state’s economic growth. 

Senator Lawan emphasized that this initiative is a continuation of his commitment to improving the socio-economic conditions of his constituents, particularly in the face of prevailing challenges.

The empowerment program targets beneficiaries from all local government areas within the Borno Central Senatorial District. This broad reach aims to stimulate economic activity across the region, where communities have been severely impacted by over a decade of insurgency that has disrupted agriculture, trade, and infrastructure, and the recent floods that further exacerbated vulnerabilities by destroying homes, businesses, and farmlands.

Analysts note that the distributed items are strategically chosen to address key economic needs within Borno State. The tricycles and vehicles offer immediate income-generating opportunities in transportation, while the deep freezers and grinding machines can support small-scale businesses in food processing and retail, crucial for local food security. 

The agricultural tools directly aim to revitalize farming, a mainstay of the Borno economy that has been significantly hampered by insecurity. The cash grants provide crucial capital for beneficiaries to start or expand their businesses and cope with immediate economic hardships.

This intervention is seen as a complementary effort to the Borno State government’s broader economic recovery initiatives, including the RESILAC 2 project focused on the Lake Chad region and investments in livestock and small businesses. 

While the long-term impact will depend on sustained support and a conducive economic environment, this empowerment drive offers a vital lifeline to thousands of individuals and has the potential to inject much-needed dynamism into local value chains, fostering resilience in a region striving to rebuild.