Governor Babagana Umara Zulum on Monday began distributing 100 trucks of food items donated to Borno State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, targeting flood-stricken communities in Ngala Local Government Area.

The relief, which includes maize, sorghum, and millet, is aimed at alleviating the hardship caused by severe flooding that isolated Ngala from the rest of the country for months.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Zulum explained the rationale behind selecting Ngala as the distribution site.

“This town was completely cut off from the rest of the country for about four months due to heavy rainfall and flooding.

“The movement of food items to Ngala was obstructed. This informed our visit today to provide relief and cushion the hardships faced by the people,” he said.

The governor expressed his gratitude to President Tinubu and federal agencies for their timely intervention.

“All of the food items we distributed today were donated to us by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The President has given us 100 trucks of assorted grains, including maize, millet, and sorghum.

“In addition, the federal government has provided 100 trucks of rice for the victims of the Maiduguri flood disaster,” Zulum stated.

He further commended the federal government’s support under Tinubu’s leadership.

“Let me use this opportunity to commend the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for supporting our people in their time of need,” he added.

Looking ahead, Zulum announced plans to transition from food distribution to sustainable agricultural projects to empower affected communities.

“The state government has implemented medium- and long-term sustainable solutions that will ensure people can cultivate their lands all year round. We are establishing numerous irrigation structures, particularly in Ngala Local Government Area,” he said.

An American woman has revealed her experiences of being duped by two Nigerian internet fraudsters, often referred to as “Yahoo boys.”

Despite her losses, the woman, described as slightly over 50, expressed admiration for Nigerian men, calling them “the sexiest and most handsome men on this planet.”

In a video that went viral on Sunday, the woman detailed her encounters, starting with a scammer she met in 2020 on TikTok. She shared that the man used fake identities to build trust and demand money.

Their relationship lasted ten months before she ended it after discovering his real identity through a mistake he made by calling her from his Nigerian phone number.

“Back in 2020, I met this man, I was with him for ten months, and I got sick of him because he was always demanding money,” she explained. “One day he made a mistake and called me from a Nigerian phone number, and he was trying to play it off that it was his friend’s number. I was done with him, and he later confessed to me. Now, he is about to get married to his Nigerian girlfriend. I hope everything goes well for him.”

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Her second experience involved a younger scammer who later admitted to using the funds to support his sick mother. She recalled that his honesty softened the blow.

“This second was a little different. He was more polite and considered my feelings,” she said. “After a year with him, he decided to come out and tell me the truth, thanking me because I saved his mother’s life.”

Despite the financial strain caused by these scams, she expressed a lingering affection for Nigerian men while warning others to stay vigilant.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intensified its crackdown on internet fraud. Between May 2023 and May 2024, EFCC secured 3,175 convictions and recovered over N156 billion in various currencies, according to the Commission’s chairman, Ola Olukoyede. However, the increasing involvement of young Nigerians in cybercrime remains a pressing concern.

The woman concluded her story with a note of caution, urging others to be mindful of online relationships while highlighting the struggles faced by both Nigerian and American women.

“I pray that nothing like this ever happens to me again. Please be safe in that country because I know that a lot of people there are struggling. But remember, a lot of American women are struggling too,” she said.

A total of 180 market women in Akwa Ibom State have received business grants of ₦100,000 each, courtesy of the Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS) in collaboration with Nka Uforo Iban Washington DC.

The initiative, which spanned nine local government areas, aims to help vulnerable women upscale their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

The final phase of the program was held on Saturday at Ete Market in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area.

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Speaking at the event, Mr. Asukwo Etuk, Chief Technical Officer and Head of Admin at ECEWS, said the project specifically targeted women in dire need of support.

“We were intentional about selecting the most vulnerable women in the state,” Etuk explained. “The grant is meant to empower them to improve their enterprises, ensure their children stay in school, and enhance their overall livelihoods.

“We don’t want a situation where children are seen on the streets hawking when they should be in school. So, our criteria for selecting the beneficiaries included women who struggled to buy items to sell, those earning less than ₦2,000 daily, women from child-headed households, and individuals affected by HIV/AIDS or disasters,” he added.

The initiative also included training sessions to help the women effectively manage their businesses. Enobong Inuaeshiet, Manager of Nka Uforo Iban Washington DC, described the program as a partnership committed to creating lasting impact.

“Since September, we have been working across nine local government areas, and this is the last one we are visiting,” Inuaeshiet said. “In addition to providing grants, I train market women on effective business management, customer relationships, and avoiding debt traps.”

She further explained that market leaders are involved in monitoring the beneficiaries to ensure the grants are used appropriately.

Some of the beneficiaries, who spoke during the event, expressed their appreciation for the support. A trader from Ete Market said, “This support is life-changing. I will use the grant to grow my business and better support my family.”

The empowerment initiative, described as a significant step toward poverty alleviation, is expected to boost economic activities across the state while improving the lives of vulnerable women and their families.