Zulum Rolls Out Ramadan Relief for 300,000 Borno Households, Warns Against Diversion
MAIDUGURI — Governor Babagana Umara Zulum on Tuesday flagged off the distribution of Ramadan palliatives to 300,000 households across Borno State’s 27 local government areas, marking one of the largest food support interventions in the state in recent years.
The ceremony, held at Ramat Square, is designed to cushion the economic hardship faced by vulnerable residents during the holy month of Ramadan.
Under the initiative, each beneficiary household will receive one bag of rice, one bag of millet, and 10 kilograms of sugar to sustain families throughout the fasting period.
Addressing members of the distribution committee and beneficiaries, Governor Zulum emphasized transparency and fairness, warning that any diversion of the relief items would attract strict sanctions.
“These items are not for sale. They are not for your friends or family members who do not need them,” he said. “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.”
The governor also directed that the gesture be extended to Christian residents observing Lent, which coincides with Ramadan this year.
“This gesture will also touch the non-Muslims who are fasting during Lent,” Zulum added.
Zulum’s administration has maintained a tradition of supporting Christian communities during festive periods, including distributing food items at Christmas and providing free transportation for non-indigenous Christians travelling to celebrate with their families.
In separate remarks, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan and Secretary to the State Government Bukar Tijani commended the governor for what they described as timely intervention.
Director-General of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, Ali Abdullahi Isa, assured that the agency is fully prepared to ensure seamless distribution across all local government areas.
The event was attended by federal and state lawmakers, including members of the House of Representatives and the Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, alongside senior government officials. Read More
