Published By Olukayode Idowu
The Deputy Speaker, Borno State House of Assembly, BOSHA, Rt Hon Abdullahi Askira has given clothing materials to over 200 children mostly orphaned by Boko Haram in his constituency, Askira/Uba Local Government Area
Also benefitting from the gesture are destitute in the area.
The gesture, which has become his annual ritual during the month of Ramadan is aimed at making the vulnerable groups, especially orphaned children wear a new look during the Eid- El Fitr celebration.
The lawmaker said, apart from giving priority to vulnerable groups, he has been assisting his constituency by attracting more people oriented projects such as construction of classroom blocks, health care centres, provision of agricultural inputs and poverty alleviation materials to people of the constituency.
Flagging off the distribution of the clothing materials and other Sallah gifts to orphans in Askira, the lawmaker said he has assisted quite a number of orphaned children pursuing their education in various institutions of learning, calling on meaningful and well -to- do individuals assist vulnerable persons in the society.
He said: “I always derive enjoyment when sponsoring students, particularly orphans to study in different schools, distributing free uniforms/ clothing to them and books of different subjects, shoes, school bags among other things.”
The lawmaker assured people of his constituency of his continued commitment towards sustaining the gesture and called on them to pray for everlasting peace in the state and the country as a whole.
He said: “You are my children, and everything that happens to you happen to me also. I want to re-assure you that in your plight, we are together.”
He also used the opportunity to thank Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum for signing into Law, the Child Rights Act, after it was presented to him by the leadership of House of Assembly early this year.
He said this development is a victory for the children of Borno, including recognition of a legal framework for their protection against recruitment and use by armed groups, child labour and sexual abuse, among other violations of their rights.
