The reports that Borno State Government empowered 5000 youths with Shoe Shining Kits is false, as it was Usman Jaha Babawo, Commissioner for Higher Education’s personal effort, not on behalf of the State Government.
Social Media was flooded with pictures and conflicting news reports from some Media outlets claiming Borno State Government gave out “shoe shining kits” as empowerment programme, with some addressing Babawo as a House of Representative member who facilitated the tools, and others alleging it was a special intervention programme between the State and Federal Government.
While clarifying the misinformation, Babawo said the programme was not a Government sponsored intervention, but his, based on special requests by the beneficiaries.
“I make interventions based on their peculiar needs. There are times people ask for a particular support and we don’t have the liberty of imposing our preferences. We support Communities in all sectors that include education, vocational skills and businesses.
“There are records. We do what our people want. I have once seen the picture of a serving Governor from a different part of this Country distributing chickens to Citizens and I am sure it was based on the peculiarities of needs.”
Babawo also said he always interact with the constituents to know their needs as “Communities have needs” which varies from time to time.
Naija and Pulse Media outlet described the Commissioner as a lawmaker in the lower Chamber, yet could not mention the constituency he was representing.
However, Babawo is contesting for the Damboa/Gwoza/Chibok constituency at the House of Representative in the forthcoming 2019 Elections.