By Babagana Wakil, Maiduguri
Borno state governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum on Tuesday, flagged-off a N300 million scholarship scheme to support 300 orphans whose parents died as volunteers under the ‘Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF)’ vigilantes and hunters.
Zulum also announced a 35% increase of monthly allowances paid to volunteers.
The volunteers who died at different operations, were involved with fighting Boko Haram and ISWAP side-by-side with the Nigerian armed forces in the state.
Zulum said the N300 million set aside was to cover all educational needs of the 300 orphans throughout their basic education levels, in the first stage, before further support at future levels of education.
Zulum had during his 2020 budget presentation promised support for the orphans under the “Borno Heroes Support Program”.
Zulum also approved livelihood support of N15 million to mothers and other guardians of the 300 orphans. Each of the 300 mothers or guardians received N50,000 along with a bag of rice, a bag of maize and clothing materials.
In separate remarks, Chairman of a committee set up for selection of the 300 orphans, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan and the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Christopher Musa lauded Governor Zulum’s initiative.
Kaka Shehu who is currently APC’s candidate for the Borno Central senatorial seat ahead of the 2023 election, was appointed while he was commissioner of justice whose ministry oversees affairs of the volunteers through a department dealing with public rights to safety.
The allowances were raised from 20,000 to 30,000 monthly.
Zulum had in June 2019, increased the allowance from N15,000 to N20,000 and change the payment system from a table to individual account which made the payment faster.
Governor Zulum also approved an end of the year bonus for all the volunteers.
By that, each volunteer is expected to receive additional one month salary as bonus.
