Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Tuesday flagged-off a scholarship scheme worth N300 million in support of 300 orphans whose parents died as volunteers under the ‘Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF)’ vigilantes and hunters.
The volunteers were involved in fighting Boko Haram and ISWAP alongside the Nigerian military and other armed forces in Borno State.
Zulum at the launch, held at the multipurpose hall of the Government House in Maiduguri, said the N300 million would 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.
The governor had during his 2020 budget presentation promised support for the orphans under the “Borno Heroes Support Programme.”
Beside the scholarship, Zulum had also approved livelihood support of at least N15m 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 by Zulum for selection of the 300 orphans, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan and the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Christopher Musa, lauded the governor’s initiative.
Also during Tuesday’s launch of scholarship for 300 orphans of slain volunteers, Zulum announced a 35 per cent increase of monthly allowance paid to volunteers. The allowance was raised from N20,000 to N30,000 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.
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