Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has urged citizens, traditional rulers, and clerics to observe a one-day voluntary fast on Monday. This is in response to the current hardship caused by inflation, which has led to a high cost of food items in the state. Zulum made this call in his broadcast to the people of the state on Friday.

Zulum expressed his deep concern over the recent hardships faced by citizens and assured them of the government’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the issue. The governor explained that the state government is taking decisive steps to alleviate the problem by focusing on reviving agriculture in the state. The plan is to increase food production, reduce reliance on food palliatives, and create sustainable livelihoods for the people.

To achieve this, the state government is investing in modern farming techniques, providing support to local farmers, and creating incentives for agricultural innovation. The governor believes that these measures will not only lower the cost of food items but also promote peace, prosperity, and the overall development of the state.

He commended the federal government for its sustained support in the fight against insurgency and the development of our state.

The governor also expressed my gratitude to security forces and volunteers for the sacrifices they are making to safeguard lives in the state and create a peaceful society for prosperity and development.

He said that his administration was engaged with stakeholders, particularly those in the business of essential commodities that include all forms of grains and building materials, and had taken far-reaching decisions to mitigate the rising cost of the essential goods.

“In addition to our efforts in agriculture, we are also working on increasing the distribution of palliatives, especially for residents in Maiduguri Metropolitan and Jere,” he said.

“As your governor, I want to assure you that we will continue to improve healthcare service delivery, education, and water supply.”

He lamented the recent incidents of mines on major roads in the state, adding that those engaged in the dastardly attempt to sabotage the government would not succeed.

“I want to assure you that we are working tirelessly with security forces to rid our roads of these deadly devices and to ensure the safety of all those who travel within our state.

“I believe there are forces behind sabotaging the gains recorded so far. However, we are working to ensure the perpetrators are fished out and dealt with accordingly,” Zulum added.