Zulum gifts cars, house to teachers as Remi Tinubu launches N-East food bank
The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Tuesday presented brand-new vehicles and a house to nine outstanding education personnel, as Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, launched the National Community Food Bank Programme for the North-East zone.
The awards, presented in Maiduguri, were given to teachers, head teachers, principals, TVET coordinators and civil servants in recognition of excellence and dedication to service.
Zulum said the gesture was aimed at motivating education workers and strengthening service delivery in the state’s education sector.
“In recognition of excellence and dedication, nine education personnel are being honoured today with brand-new vehicles and a house to outstanding teachers, head teachers, principals, TVET coordinators and civil servants,” he said.
The governor highlighted progress recorded in the education sector, noting that the state had constructed 104 mega schools, expanded senior secondary schools from 34 to 129, and increased enrolment to more than 1.4 million learners.
Earlier, the First Lady launched the National Community Food Bank Programme, describing it as a sustainable response to food insecurity affecting vulnerable households in the country.
Tinubu said the initiative was designed to provide nutritious food to children under the age of six, pregnant and lactating mothers, and other vulnerable groups.
“The National Community Food Bank Programme is a deliberate and sustainable response to food insecurity and hunger in vulnerable households in Nigeria. It is designed to ensure that vulnerable children under the age of six, pregnant and lactating mothers have access to nutritious food,” she said.
She also inspected the food bank and stabilisation centre at Shuwari II Primary Healthcare Centre, where food distribution to beneficiaries was flagged off.
Tinubu said the programme was being implemented in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and the Bank of Agriculture.
The First Lady commended Zulum for donating ₦500 million to the National Community Food Bank Trust Fund to ensure the sustainability of the initiative.
Zulum said the donation underscored the state government’s commitment to supporting programmes that improve the welfare of vulnerable residents.
He also expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for ongoing interventions aimed at improving development and livelihoods in the state.
Tinubu further lauded the governor’s commitment to women’s empowerment, citing his support to 2,000 women with sewing machines and grants of ₦100,000 each.
She said the programme would strengthen nutrition support systems and reduce hunger among vulnerable communities across the North-East.
The event was attended by representatives of neighbouring states, members of the National and State Assemblies, ministers of Health, Education and Agriculture, traditional rulers, and other government officials.
