Shettima, in a brief remark to flag-off the exercise in Maiduguri, said that the gesture was aimed at assisting “the most vulnerable groups in the society”.

“The gesture is part of the efforts by the Society for Widows, Orphans and Tsangaya pupil’s (SWOT) Foundation, whose aim is to mitigate the hardship confronting the poor,” she said.

She said that the beneficiaries were mostly victims of insurgency, “who don’t have anyone to cater for them.

“Anytime I see myself reaching out to these people, I always feel fulfilled.

“The gesture will be extended to other groups in need of such assistance, “she promised.