Sam Kaye
First Lady of Nigeria, Remi Tinubu has donated N250m to petty traders affected by the recent flood in Maiduguri due to the collapse of the Alau Dam 25 km away.
Remi who was in the Borno State capital Thursday on another solidarity visit in less than a month stated that 5000 traders will receive a minimum of N50,000 each from the financial package to enable them pick up the pieces of their lives after the flood.
She came in company of the wife of the Vice President Nana Shettima and some Governors wives who were in her entourage.
In her remarks while presenting food items at the Government House Maiduguri, she said that she was excited that the Borno capital seem to has moved on since her last visit.
“Your Excellency, we are actually here on a solidarity visit and not a sympathy visit this time around. This is because we believe it’s time for the women to pick up their lives and not just remain in a mournful mood.
“After consulting with the wife of the Vice President, we decided it’s time to help the petty traders to pick up their lives which is why we are helping 5000 of them to get back to their livelihood.
” The flood has come and gone and I believe it’s time to move on. I believe also that the waters actually came to cleanse the land and we will never see such a damnation again. Prosperity will begin to flow out of the state from now on.” She stressed.
Earlier, Governor Babagana Zulum had commended the first lady for her consistency in supporting the less privileged in the society by her donations and good will.
He noted that Senator Tinubu had already donated N500 million to the state before coming in again with N250 million to support the petty traders in greater Maiduguri with food and money.
Highlight of her visit was her visit to the Shehu of Borno to sympathize over the September 10 flood disaster that claimed many lives and displaced millions.
At the Maiduguri Government house, Tinubu had presented food palliatives and other essentials to women affected by the flood after examining a package of essential drugs which were donated by the entire Drugs manufacturers of Nigeria.
They were supported by the minister of health Prof Ali Parte who graced the occasion with several partners from the non governmental organizations present in the war theatre.