Dare Babalola
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has kicked off the distribution of Ramadan palliatives to 300,000 households across the state’s 27 local government areas.
Addressing the crowd at Ramat Square on Tuesday, where the distribution took place, Zulum called on the committee overseeing the exercise to maintain utmost transparency and fairness.
The initiative aims to alleviate the economic strain on vulnerable residents during Ramadan, with each beneficiary set to receive a bag of rice, a bag of millet, and 10kg of sugar.
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.”
Zulum also pointed out that the distribution would cover Christian residents who are currently observing Lent, noting that the period overlaps with the Muslim holy month of 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 had consistently supported Christian communities in the state, particularly during festive seasons.
Each year, the governor approves the distribution of food items to Christian faithful celebrating Christmas and free transport for non-indigenous Christians who wish to travel to other parts of the country to celebrate their holidays with family and loved ones.
In their remarks, the senator representing Borno Central, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan and the Secretary to the Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani, commended Governor Zulum for supporting the vulnerable in their most critical moment.
In his welcome address, the Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Ali Abdullahi Isa, reiterated the agency’s readiness to ensure hitch-free distribution.
The ceremony 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 and principal officers of the House, the Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, among many other senior government officials.
