By Usman Abubakar, in Maiduguri
In continuation of his palliatives distribution to the vulnerable population across his State, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has distributed food items to 18,000 heads of families and N350 million worth of clothing materials to 35,000 women in Dikwa town in the state’s central senatorial district.
The food distribution was to cushion the effect of by a bird strike, a massive invasion of quelea birds and other pests that destroyed most of the farmlands on which over 90 percent of the community rely for their livelihoods.
Governor Zulum, who oversaw the distribution on Monday, expressed a 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.
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 the two bags of rice and sorghum each received by the 18,000 male heads of households.
