Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, on Tuesday flagged off the distribution of Ramadan palliatives to 300,000 households across the state’s 27 local government areas, warning officials against diversion of relief materials.
Speaking at the ceremony at Ramat Square, Maiduguri, Zulum urged the committee overseeing the distribution to uphold transparency, fairness and accountability in the exercise.
“To the committee in charge of this distribution, let transparency be your watchword. Let fairness be your guide,” the governor said.
“These items are not for sale. They are not for your friends or family members who do not need them.”
He stressed that the relief items were targeted at the most vulnerable residents, including widows, orphans, displaced persons and low-income earners.
“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,” Zulum said.
“Any officer found diverting these items will face the full wrath of the law.”
Under the programme, each beneficiary household is expected to receive a bag of rice, a bag of millet and 10 kilograms of sugar to cushion the impact of rising food prices during the holy month of Ramadan.
The governor also disclosed that the distribution would include Christian residents observing the Lenten season, noting that Ramadan and Lent overlap this year.
“This gesture will also touch the non-Muslims who are also fasting the Lent, which falls within the month of Ramadan,” he said.
Zulum further highlighted his administration’s support for Christian communities in the state, noting that similar interventions are provided during festive periods.
“Every year, we ensure food distribution for Christian faithful during Christmas, and we provide free transport for non-indigenous Christians who wish to travel to celebrate with their families,” he said.
In their separate remarks, the senator representing Borno Central, Kaka Shehu Lawan, and the Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijani, commended the governor for prioritising the welfare of vulnerable residents.
Lawan described the initiative as “a timely intervention that will ease the burden on thousands of families during this challenging period,” while Tijani said the programme “reflects the government’s commitment to inclusive social protection.”
In his welcome address, the Director-General of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Ali Abdullahi Isa, assured residents of a seamless distribution process.
“We are fully prepared to ensure a hitch-free, transparent and equitable distribution across all local government areas,” Isa said.
The event was attended by members of the House of Representatives, including Engr Bukar Talba and Abdulkadir Rahis; the Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdkarim Lawan; principal officers of the legislature; the Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe; and other senior government officials.
