Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno has distributed 5,000 livestock to 2,500 displaced persons in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area of the state.
Mr Zulum stated this at the inauguration of the distribution exercise on Thursday in Pulka.
Represented by his deputy, Usman Kadafur, the governor said the animals were distributed to the farmers, hitherto displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency, to enable them to restock their animals and improve livelihoods.
He said the gesture was part of government efforts to restore the lost means of livelihood of the displaced persons.
According to him, the state government in collaboration with development partners is implementing sound programmes to restore livelihoods and improve living standard of the people in line with its Development Plan and 10-Year Transformation Agenda.
Mr Zulum commended the Regional Stabilisation Facility and the UN Development Programme, UNDP, for their support towards successful implementation of the programme.
He enjoined the beneficiaries to take care of the animals to improve their social and economic wellbeing.
Earlier, Ahmadu Umara, Permanent Secretary, Borno State Ministry of Rehabilitation Reconstruction and Resettlement, said that about 3,000 animals had been distributed to 500 women farmers in the last one month, adding that another set of 200 animals would be distributed before the end of the year.
“The singular effort is geared towards the restoration of lost means of livelihood of our displaced communities, reduce poverty, overdependence on handouts and put them back on economic recovery,” he said.
Also, Abdullahi Danjatau, Caretaker Chairman, Gwoza Local Council, lauded the initiative, adding it assisted the resettled communities.
He said the state government also executed viable projects to restore civil authorities and enhance delivery of quality social services at Pulka, Kirawa, Warabe and Gwoza communities.
One of the beneficiaries, Buba Sale, who received goats, said the gesture would go a long way to improving his living condition.
(NAN)
