*Majority of Internally Displaced Persons rely on agriculture as a means of livelihood, substantial portions of them cannot access their farmlands due to insurgents

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

In terms of the food seizures needed for humanitarian support in crisis areas, especially in North-Eastern Nigeria, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, Governor of Borno State, at headquarters of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in Abuja, FCT, has demanded food supplies for 800,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) across 11 towns in Borno State.

It was gathered the governor in a letter informed AVM Muhammadu Alhaji Mohammed (rtd), Director-General of NEMA, that IDPs in Monguno, Bama, Damboa, Gwoza, Dikwa, Gamboru, Ngala, Damasak, Banki, Pulka, and Gajiram currently need urgent access to food supplies despite sustained efforts by Borno State Government.

According to Zulum, the state government combines humanitarian challenges with addressing other provision basic needs for the people across the state.

Relief Materials for IDPs in North-East Nigeria    Photo File

He acknowledged the interventions by NEMA, North-East Development Commission, and far-reaching efforts by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), following a presidential directive two years ago, that food seizures be used for humanitarian support in crisis areas.

Zulum noted that food interventions have to be sustained because whereas the majority of IDPs rely on agriculture as a means of livelihood, substantial portions of them cannot access their farmlands due to insurgents.

Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, Commandant-General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), said the Borno State is one of the first governors to domesticate the use of armed NSCDC personnel as agro rangers, for protection of farming activities in parts of Borno State.

Though the partnership gave birth to an increase in farming activities by IDPs in farmlands on the outskirts of towns, acceleration of attacks by Boko Haram reversed fortunes, forcing thousands of displaced farmers to rely on food aid.

DG says every state wants a governor like Zulum

Meanwhile, AVM Muhammadu Muhammed (Rtd), Director-General of NEMA, also stated commitment, hard work, and dedication every state in the country would like to have Borno State’s Prof. Zulum as their Governor.

“If you go into Maiduguri, you will be shocked; you wouldn’t believe you are in Maiduguri.

“I have been to Maiduguri with a special assistant to Mr. President from a particular state he looked at me and said can you please borrow this Zulum of a man to us?”

AVM Muhammed: “I am sure every state will like to have this gentleman Professor as a Governor.

“If there is one gentleman everybody envies, whether they are able to do what he does or not, it is Prof. Zulum.

“And the simple fact is that we all know what is right and what is wrong is wrong and what is right can only be achieved with the fear of God.”

He assured Governor Zulum of the agency’s support to Borno State, particularly in the actualisation of Borno’s 25-year development plan unveiled recently.

The NEMA boss noted: “Your Excellency, every staff of NEMA is willing at all times to give you 100% support in everything you need.

“You have been very hard. I assure you that the President, Commander In Chief of the Armed Forces has given us the mandate, he has given us the resources and has said it many times to do everything possible to support what you do, and key into the Borno State 25 year development plan.”