By Sam Kayode
Governor Babagana Zulum has awarded the sum of N300m scholarship to children of the civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) who paid the supreme price fighting Boko Haram in the north east Nigerian war theatre.
The children, who were carefully selected based on age grade, were chosen from various families of the JTF within the Maiduguri metropolitan area.
Presenting the cheque for N300m to Barrister Kaka Shehu, the Chairman of the committee set up to locate the kids of the JTF fighters, the Governor said that this is the first phase of the awards of scholarships to fighters.
He went on, ” I believe that these scholarships awards will out live my existence in this office as Governor. It would be a continuous process such that the next person who will step into my shoes will ensure it is done.
“Let me assure you that we will update the data of the survivors of these heros from time to time. I believe that with this contribution, the death of the parents of these heros will never be in vein.
The Governor said that the N300m will go a long way to support the education of the children for the next five years at N200,000 for each kid in a year starting from the primary school level.
Zulum equally supported each surviving family with N 50,000, including a bag of rice, maize and clothing materials to cushion the effect of their loved ones.
The Governor hinted that from this month, the allowances of the CJTF would be increased from N20,000 to N30,000 monthly to encourage them.
Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Chris Musa noted that the military is aware of the critical nature of the war and the role of the CJTF therein.
“This is why we try always to make them comfortable on the field because they have been quite helpful in our operations.
“As a matter of fact, we will never forget those who have paid the supreme sacrifice in our operations on the field.
“So far,we have received about 81,000 defectors from the bush and this would not be possible without the support of the CJTF,” said Gen. Musa.
The General posited that they were happy with the peace they have received so far with the support of the CJTF adding that they will do all they can to see the end of this war.
Chair of the committee to investigate the worthy children for the awards, Barrister Kaka Shehu said that the committee was constituted in may 2022 by the Governor who was thinking of setting up a “Borno heros support programme.
