Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has distributed food items and cash relief to over 53,000 households in Dikwa town following massive crop destruction caused by a quelea bird invasion.
The exercise, held on Monday at the Shehu of Dikwa’s palace, targeted 18,000 male heads of households and 35,000 women. Each male beneficiary received two bags of rice and sorghum, while the women were given ₦10,000 cash, a wrapper, and additional food supplies. The cash support totaled ₦350 million.
Dikwa, in central Borno, has suffered significant agricultural losses after quelea birds and other pests devastated farmlands, threatening food security for the predominantly farming community.
Governor Zulum said the intervention was crucial to avert hunger and cushion the impact of the pest invasion. He recalled that the last major distribution in Dikwa took place 18 months ago, noting that humanitarian support had been scaled down by 90 percent due to improved security and increased farming activities.
“We came to Dikwa to support the people because of last year’s drought and the recent invasion of pests that destroyed a large portion of their crops,” Zulum explained, assuring residents of renewed efforts to strengthen agricultural resilience, including pest control measures.
The governor was accompanied by the chairman of the State High-Powered Committee on Palliatives, Engr. Bukar Talba, member representing Dikwa at the House of Assembly, Zakariya Mohammed, and the Commissioner for Local Government and Emirates Affairs, Sugun Mai Mele, among other officials.
Zulum commended residents for returning to their farms despite challenges and urged them to remain resilient as government continues to provide agricultural and humanitarian support.
