Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has distributed food items to 18,000 heads of families in Dikwa town, located in the central part of the state.
The distribution took place at the outer premises of the Shehu of Dikwa’s Palace, a town that was affected by a bird strike when quelea birds and other pests destroyed most of the farmlands relied upon by the community for their livelihoods.
Governor Zulum, who oversaw the distribution on Monday, expressed deep concern for the affected families.
He explained that the intervention was necessary to avert a food crisis and provide immediate relief to those whose livelihoods were destroyed.
Governor Zulum stressed that his administration implemented measures to strengthen agriculture, particularly mechanisms for pest control, mitigating cases of farmers losing their outputs.
“The last time we distributed food items in Dikwa was about 18 months ago. Because we believe there is an improved security situation in the state, and people have started cultivating their farmlands, we have reduced the distribution of humanitarian support by 90 per cent,” Zulum stated.
He added, “But this morning, we came to Dikwa to support them because of the drought that affected them last year. The invasion of pests and quelea birds affected their farmlands, leading to the farmers losing a significant portion of their farm outputs.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Governor Zulum expressed delight in the residents’ engagement in farming activities this season.
The governor also distributed over N350 million to 35,000 women in Dikwa town as part of his administration’s emergency relief to the vulnerable communities.
Each of the 35,000 women received N10,000 cash and a wrapper in addition to two bags of rice and sorghum each received by the 18,000 male heads of households.
The governor was accompanied to Dikwa by the chairman of the Borno State Committee for the distribution of palliatives, Engr Bukar Talba; member representing Dikwa at the State House of Assembly, Zakariya Mohammed and the Commissioner for Local Government and Emirates Affairs, Sugun Mai Mele, among other senior government officials.
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