- Don’t spent N140m cattle fattening fund on expensive garments’— Dalori, Bello warns
By Salihu Inusa, Maiduguri
MEMBER representing Jere Federal Constituency of Borno state, Hon. Ahmed Satomi has shared a total of N140 million to 160 people including women and other vulnerable groups.
The gesture is part of Satomi’s initiative tagged: ‘Creating 140 millionaires Programme on cattle fattening, Agro Allied and other Agricultural value chain in Jere Federal Constituency of Borno state in collaboration with Satomi Integrated Farms limited.
This is as the Deputy National Chairman (North) of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr. Ali Dalori and the state party Chairman of the party, Hon. Bello Ayuba have warned beneficiaries against spending the funds donated on expensive clothes and roasted chicken.
The occasion took.place on Wednesday at the Multi- Purpose Hall, Government House, Maiduguri which was unveiled by Governor Babagana Zulum.
In his welcome address, Hon. Satomi appreciated Governor Zulum for his support to the people of Jere, and stressed that the programme “is aimed at creation of wealth and empowerment through agricultural value chain, such as cattle and other livestock fattening, poultry, commodities and Animal husbandry to 160 beneficiaries.
“A total of N140 million will be disbursed, out of these amount, 96 people will receive N1 million each, 42 people will receive N21 million, while 24 women leaders of Jere local government area would receive N12 million respectively.
“As federal Lawmakers, Your Excellency Governor Babagana Zulum, we are following your footsteps to ensure we compliment your efforts in the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement initiative as peace and tranquility now exists in Borno state.
“Your Excellency, with the commitment and sacrifices you made, and the support from the military, Police and other security agencies, as well as our Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), peace have since returned to Borno, and that is why this year, the Satomi Integrated Farms ltd was able to cultivate over 2,000 hectres of farmlands in Jere alone.
“But like Oliver Twist, we are pleading to your good office to construct an Irrigation canal from Madinatu to Koshobe communities of Mafa local government area, which is about 21 kilometres with a lot of tributaries that can generate billions of naira for our people.” Satomi said.
Meanwhile, Deputy National Chairman (North) of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr. Ali Dalori and
Borno State Chairman, All Progressive Congress (APC), Bello Ayuba, in their separate goodwill messages, have warned beneficiaries against spending the gesture on expensive clothes and roasted chicken.
Both said, “the empowerment programme, sponsored by the member representing the constituency, Ahmed Satomi, was to reduce unemployment, improve animal production and value chain in the state.
“These would at least revive the almost lost occupation that our people are known for, boost livestock agriculture and provide employment to our people,”
The Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, congratulated the beneficiaries for the disbursement of N140 million.
He said, if the funds are carefully utilized, the amount invested would double the return in investment in just a year.
“Not just that, the money allocated should be channeled to the intended purpose of agriculture and more provide jobs,” he said.
Zulum however called on other Lawmakers and those in position to emulate Satomi’s agricultural empowerment initiatives, as according to him, agriculture remained the economic mainstay of the people in the state.
In a vote of thanks on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mallam Umar Mohammed commended Hon. Satomi for putting smiles on their faces, especially in this difficult times, and pledged to use the funds donated for the purpose intended, even as he said, the Lawmaker has in the past distributed food and non food items, such as grinding and sewing machines, irrigation pumps and several poverty alleviation materials to thousands of people in the constituency irrespective of political, religious or ethnic considerations.
