By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has launched the distribution of Ramadan palliatives to 300,000 poor-to-bottom households across all the 27 local government areas of the state.

The intervention which kick started on Tuesday at the Ramat Square in Maiduguri is designed to cushion the economic burden on vulnerable residents during the holy month of Ramadan.

Each beneficiary will receive one bag of 25kg rice, one bag of 25kg millet and 10 kg of sugar.

Addressing some of the beneficiaries drawn from Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere local government area, Zulum urged the committee tasked with the exercise to adhere to the highest standards of transparency and fairness.

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.”

The governor also noted that the distribution would be extended to Christian residents who are coincidentally observing the Lent period, which overlaps with the Muslim fasting season this year.

This gesture will also touch the non-Muslims who are also fasting, as the lent 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, members of the distribution committee, such as the senator representing Borno Central, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan (SAN), 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, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan and principal officers of the House, the Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, among many other senior government officials.