From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has announced the release of over N130 million to support over 2,000 hospital patients and 1,280 prison inmates in Maiduguri to mark Democracy Day in the state.
Zulum announced the gesture on Thursday after his visit to the Maiduguri Maximum Security Custodial Centre as part of his activities for June 12.
The governor said each of the over 2,000 patients in public hospitals in Maiduguri will receive N50,000, while each of the 1,280 inmates at the Custodial Centre will benefit from N20,000.
“As part of our contribution to humanity, I approved the donation of N50,000 each to over 2,000 patients within Maiduguri metropolis,” he told journalists.
He earlier granted pardon to 66 inmates at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre. The governor commuted death sentences of some to life imprisonment and reduced jail terms for others.
“Based on the powers conferred on me under Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, I hereby grant state and partial pardons to 66 inmates of the Maximum Custodial Centre,” Zulum declared at the facility.
He said he has directed the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation to liaise with the management of the Custodial Centre to enhance the vocational training centre at the facility to support the rehabilitation of inmates after serving their jail terms.
He also donated 300 bags of rice, 50 gallons of cooking oil, and five cows, in addition to the cash gift of N20,000 to each of the 1,280 inmates.
Zulum flagged off the construction of an orthopaedic hospital, commissioned roads, and other projects in the state capital to commemorate the June 12 Democracy Day.