Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Tuesday launched the distribution of Ramadan palliatives to 300,000 households across all 27 local government areas of the state, a move aimed at easing the economic burden on vulnerable residents during the holy month.
Each beneficiary is set to receive one bag of rice, one bag of millet, and 10 kg of sugar. Speaking at Ramat Square, the venue of the distribution exercise, Governor Zulum urged the committee handling the exercise to uphold strict transparency and fairness.
“Let transparency be your watchword. Let fairness be your guide. These items are not for sale or for friends and family who do not need them,” Zulum warned. “They are for widows, orphans, internally displaced persons, farmers whose fields have not fully recovered, and daily wage earners struggling to make ends meet. Any officer found diverting these items will face the full wrath of the law.”
Highlighting the inclusivity of the programme, Zulum directed that the distribution also cover Christian residents observing Lent, which coincides with Ramadan this year. “This gesture will also touch the non-Muslims who are fasting during Lent that overlaps with the month of Ramadan,” he said.
The governor’s administration has a history of supporting Christian communities during festive seasons, including annual distributions during Christmas and providing free transport for non-indigenous Christians wishing to celebrate holidays with their families.
In their remarks, Senator representing Borno Central, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan, and the Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijani, praised Zulum for prioritising the welfare of the vulnerable during critical times.
The Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Ali Abdullahi Isa, assured attendees of the agency’s preparedness for a smooth distribution exercise. The event was attended by members of the House of Representatives, Engr Bukar Talba and Abdulkadir Rahis; Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdkarim Lawan; Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe; and other senior government officials.
