Zulum Launches Ramadan Aid for 300,000 Households Across Borno

By: Adamu Aliyu Ngulde, Maiduguri

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — Babagana Umara Zulum, the governor of Borno State, on Tuesday flagged off the distribution of Ramadan palliatives to 300,000 households across the state’s 27 local government areas, in what officials described as one of the largest seasonal welfare interventions in the region.

The initiative, launched at Ramat Square, is aimed at easing the economic pressure on vulnerable families during the Muslim fasting month. Each beneficiary household will receive a bag of rice, a bag of millet and 10 kilograms of sugar, according to the state government.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Zulum urged the committee overseeing the exercise to ensure transparency and fairness in the distribution process. He warned that the relief items were meant strictly for those in need, including widows, orphans, internally displaced persons and low-income earners, and cautioned that any official found diverting the supplies would face legal consequences.

The governor also announced that the assistance would extend to Christian residents observing Lent, which coincides with Ramadan this year.

He said the gesture reflects the administration’s continued support for religious harmony and inclusiveness, noting that similar aid is often provided to Christian communities during Christmas, including food support and transportation assistance for holiday travel.

In separate remarks, Kaka Shehu Lawan, the senator representing Borno Central, and Bukar Tijani, the Secretary to the State Government, commended the governor’s efforts, describing the intervention as timely support for residents facing economic hardship.

Earlier, Ali Abdullahi Isa, Director-General of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, said the agency had put in place measures to ensure a smooth and orderly distribution across all local government areas.

The ceremony was attended by several senior officials, including members of the House of Representatives, Bukar Talba and Abdulkadir Rahis; the Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdkarim Lawan; and the Acting Chief of Staff, Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, among other top government functionaries.