Zulum says the support is under the condition that none of them ever returns to political thuggery
By Eugene Onyeji
The Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has distributed the sum of N100m to 152 reformed youths who were prominent members of a violent political group code named ‘ECOMOG’ in Maiduguri, after they reportedly renounced thuggery.
The presentation took place at the Ramat Polytechnic in Maiduguri, the state capital, after organizing for them, one month of intensive practical training on entrepreneurship.
Zulum said that the youths who received the money as start-up funds had earlier been made to undergo one month of training on business enterprises, fishery, animal rearing and animal fattening.
He added that the empowerment was a demonstration of his commitment to ensuring a better future for youths in the state.
Zulum had at different times in the past approved series of vocational jobs and empowerment programmes for the groups to make them have access to lawful means of livelihood.
It would be recalled that in July 2019, which was two months after assuming office, Governor Zulum had announced a ban on political thuggery in Maiduguri, which, in the mid 2000s, came under bloody clashes between rival thugs including killings.
Following that announcement, the Governor in August 2019, directed the enrollment of 2,762 youths into a ‘waste for cash’ sanitation programme in which the youths cleaned the drainages to earn monthly stipends.
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He also launched a vocational employment scheme to support the youths.
In 2020 and 2021, Zulum extended his ban on political thuggery to Biu and Gwoza, both of which have had notorious prevalence of thuggery. The governor later announced a statewide ban on the menace.
According to Zulum, 16 prominent leaders of the repentant political thugs will each receive N2m amounting to N32m, while remaining 136 persons will each receive N500,000 amounting to N68m. The combination made up N100m.
The support is under the condition that none of them ever returns to political thuggery. They be required to repay half of what they receive, while 50 percent will be treated as gratis.
Commissioner for Sports and Youths Empowerment, Saina Buba described the programme as a bold effort by Zulum, in stamping out violent.
