Gov. Zulum distributes food, cash to 53,000 families in Dikwa

By Muhammad Maitela & Usman Abubakar, Damaturu

The Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, on Monday distributed food items to 18,000 households and provided cash support and clothing materials to 35,000 women in Dikwa town, central Borno.
The distribution exercise took place at the outer premises of the Shehu of Dikwa’s palace.
Dikwa, a farming community, was recently hit by a devastating bird strike following a massive invasion of quelea birds and other pests, which destroyed farmlands that over 90 percent of residents depend on for their livelihoods.
Governor Zulum, who personally supervised the exercise, said the intervention was aimed at averting a food crisis and cushioning the hardships of affected families.
“The last time we distributed food items in Dikwa was about 18 months ago. Because of improved security in the state, people have resumed farming, and we reduced humanitarian support by 90 per cent.
“But this time, due to last year’s drought and the recent invasion of pests and quelea birds that destroyed farmlands, we had to intervene.” Governor explained.
Each of the 18,000 male household heads received two bags of rice and sorghum, while 35,000 women were given N10,000 cash and a wrapper each, amounting to over N350 million in direct support.
Zulum commended residents for engaging in farming despite the challenges and assured them of his administration’s continued support, particularly in strengthening agricultural pest-control mechanisms to prevent similar losses in the future.