Babagana Zulum, the governor of Borno, launched a scholarship programme worth N300 million on Tuesday to help 300 orphans whose parents died while serving as vigilantes and hunters for the “Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF)”.
The volunteers fought alongside the Nigerian military in Borno State against Boko Haram and ISWAP.
They mostly died at different security operations.
Zulum stated at the launch, held at the multipurpose hall of the Government House in Maiduguri, that the N300 million set aside was to cover all educational needs of the 300 orphans 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”.
Beside the scholarship, Governor Zulum 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 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.
Also during Tuesday’s launch of scholarship for 300 orphans of slain volunteers, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum announced a 35% increase of monthly allowances paid to volunteers.
The allowances were raised from 20,000 to 30,000 monthly.
Zulum had in June 2019, increased the allowance from 15,000 to 20,000 and change the payment system from a table to individual account which made the payment faster.
He also approved an end of the year bonus for all the volunteers.