Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has launched the distribution of Ramadan palliatives to 300,000 households across the 27 local government areas of the state.
The intervention is aimed at cushioning the economic burden on vulnerable residents during the holy month of Ramadan. Each beneficiary is expected to receive one bag of rice, one bag of millet, and 10kg of sugar as part of the support package.
Speaking on Tuesday at Ramat Square, the venue of the distribution exercise, Zulum urged members of the committee in charge to maintain transparency and fairness throughout the process.
He said, “To the committee in charge of this distribution, let transparency be your watchword. Let fairness be your guide. These items are not for sale. They are not for your friends or family members who do not need them.
“They are for the widow, the orphan, the internally displaced, the farmer whose fields have not fully recovered, and the daily wage earner struggling to make ends meet. Any officer found diverting these items will face the full wrath of the law.”
The governor also directed that the distribution should cover Christian residents who are observing the Lent period, which overlaps with Ramadan this year.
“This gesture will also touch the non-Muslims who are also fasting the lent which falls within the month of Ramadan,” Zulum ordered.
Zulum’s administration has consistently extended support to Christian communities in the state, especially during festive periods. Every year, the governor approves the distribution of food items to Christian faithful celebrating Christmas. He also provides free transport for non-indigenous Christians who wish to travel to other parts of the country to celebrate with their families.
In their separate remarks, the senator representing Borno Central, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan, and the Secretary to the Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani, commended the governor for supporting vulnerable residents at a critical time.
In his welcome address, the Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Ali Abdullahi Isa, assured that the agency was fully prepared to ensure a hitch-free distribution exercise.
The event was attended by members of the House of Representatives, Engr Bukar Talba and Abdulkadir Rahis, the Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdkarim Lawan, principal officers of the House, the Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, and other senior government officials.
