The Borno State government on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, received 1.2 million Euros from the Swiss Federation into the Borno State Flood Disaster Relief Fund.
The Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Nicolas Lang, announced the donation which was received by the governor, Babagana Zulum, on behalf of the state.
Appreciating the Swiss government and the Ambassador, Mr Zulum described the donation as a generous relief to the victims affected by the flood in Maiduguri.
“On behalf of the Government and the good people of Borno, let me express our profound gratitude to the Swiss Government for this generous donation.
“We are equally grateful to Amb Lang and his team for the sympathy visit. Rest assured, the donation shall be judiciously utilised under my watch,” Mr Zulum said.
Recall that millions of residents in Maiduguri, Borno State’s capital city were affected and displaced by flooding caused by the breakdown of the Alau Dam in September 2024.
In addition to the displacement of residents from their homes, several properties and farmlands worth billions were destroyed.
Continuing, Mr Lang, who led a delegation of the Swiss Embassy on the sympathy visit to the Government House in Maiduguri said that Switzerland had supported the Borno Model in 2023 with about 700,000 United States dollars.
Accompanied by Nicolas Martin-Achard, the Senior Humanitarian Advisor, and Florent Geel, the Senior Political Advisor at the Swiss Embassy, Mr Lang said the contribution has since been implemented.
“The Borno Model is a programme for the mass exit of armed Boko Haram insurgents and civilians trapped in the lines of conflict.
“These donations in 2023 and 2024 demonstrate Switzerland’s continued support and solidarity with the Borno State Government and the people of Borno affected by the crises,” he said.
