- Offers scholarships for children of CJTFs, hunters, vigilantes
From Olukayode Idowu
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has supervised the enrollment of school aged children whose parents were killed by Boko Haram.
The enrollment was done on Wednesday during a visit of the governor to iMonguno, where a total number of 5,361 orphans were registered during the two-days exercise.
The enrolled children were between the ages of seven and thirteen, with each provided free uniforms, writing materials and free meals at schools on the instruction of the governor.
The orphans were registered in the presence of their guardians who gave their biographic details, including places of displacement and indigenous local government area.
The 5,361 orphans are part of over 50,000 children either orphaned by Boko Haram or having parents and relations missing as a result of attacks of several communities by Boko Haram since 2009.
Although the enrollment exercise was for orphans, other parents trooped out with their children demanding enrollment, for which Zulum promised to approve.
Zulum appealed to guardians of all 5,361 orphans to ensure their wards regularly attend school.
The Governor also announced that he will engage Islamiyya teachers to teach guardians and other adults who are willing to learn.
Zulum was supported by Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, Commissioners, and other top Government officials during the enrollment exercises.
The governor, also during his visit to Monguno, approved scholarships from primary to tertiary education for children of CJTFs, hunters, and vigilantes fighting Boko Haram.
He supported volunteers with cash of N5,000 each, and released patrol vehicles and other working tools.
The Governor told them that with their sacrifices, Borno State Government will help create opportunities for their children to obtain western education so that they can look forward to a promising future.