Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state; has offered N365 million scholarship awards for orphans and guardians’ livelihoods for five years.
The 300 orphans are the children of fallen heroes of the Civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes fighting the Boko Haram insurgency that claimed many lives and property in the state.
Presenting the scholarship awards to orphans, yesterday (Tuesday), in Maiduguri, the Governor, disclosed: “The 300 orphans were identified by the Kaka Shehu Lawan verification and biometric Committee in the state,”
He added that the N300 million scholarships are to run for five years to ‘support and secure’ the educational future of the orphans.
Besides the scholarships, he said that N200, 000 each be given to guardians for the upkeep of orphans, while pursuing their education.
On the livelihoods of guardians and widows, he said: “The sum of N50, 000 are being released to each of the orphans’ guardians and mothers to restore their livelihoods in communities.
“The guardians; are also to collect a bag of rice and maize, while the widows are each provided with wrappers and clothing.”
While thanking the Civilian JTF for their sacrifices in the ongoing counter-terrorism operations, he increased their monthly allowances from N20, 000 to N30, 000 each.
“We’ve approved your end of year bonus of N20, 000 each,” he said, noting that more orphans are to be enrolled for the scholarships.
Continued; “You should sustain the fight against Boko Haram insurgency, until peace is fully restored in the state.
The Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Maj-Gen. Christopher Musa, who described the Civilian JTF, hunters and volunteers, as hybrid force in the ongoing counter-terrorism operations thanked the parents for their sacrifices.
He also commended the Governor for awarding scholarships for the orphans in the state.
