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Zulum: Boko Haram left Borno with bank branches in two of 27 local governments
Zulum: Boko Haram left Borno with bank branches in two of 27 local governments
By Michael Mike
There are banks in two of 27 local government areas of Borno State as a result of over a decade Boko Haram crisis in the state.
This was disclosed by the governor of the State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, while ordering for the immediate establishment of branches of Microfinance Bank, as well as ICT centres across the all councils of the state to enable for exchange of old currency notes to new ones.
The governor gave the directive to the State Ministry of Finance and that of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation following the CBN’s policy on changing of old notes to new ones.
He noted that there are absence of banking services across 25 out of 27 Local Government Areas due to over 12 years of killings and destructions by Boko Haram insurgents.
The governor announced the microfinance measures on Wednesday in Maiduguri during an extraordinary stakeholders meeting which was attended by the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Garbai Elkanemi, represented by the Waziri of Borno, Mustapha Waziri Muktar.
Zulum directed that where possible, branches of the microfinance bank should start being established this week in Monguno and Gwoza Local Government Areas.
Zulum said: “At the moment we only have two LGAs with banking services and these are Maiduguri and Biu. The distance from most of the local governments to either Maiduguri or Biu is too long”
He added that: “Despite a great improvement of the security in Borno, there are still challenges for banks to start operations. Banking is a very delicate industry and I am sure none of them is willing to take the risk of establishing branches in our LGAs for now. Therefore, to support our people, Borno State Government has to take the risk. I have directed the ministry of finance to ensure the recapitalization of Borno Renaissance Microfinance Bank to qualify it to have the capacity to open branches in all the 27 LGAs. This I believe will greatly alleviate the suffering of our people.”
Zulum also directed the Ministry of Finance to immediately come up with a template to organize and ensure people in rural communities deposit their old naira notes before the 31st of January deadline.
Zulum told the stakeholders that: “I have convened this meeting to discuss how our people in the villages can get easy windows of depositing their money to the bank accounts as stipulated in the CBN’s new policy. The Ministry of Finance is hereby directed to moblize the people and ensure nobody lost his money, you should facilitate ways through which people can voluntarily deposit their money into the banks in the remaining days.”
Zulum also directed the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation to support mobile telecommunication providers towards improving their network coverage for internet connectivity across all 27 local government areas.
The meeting had in attendance, members of the Borno State House of Assembly, Commissioners, Advisers, Local Government Chairmen and other critical stakeholder.
Zulum: Boko Haram left Borno with bank branches in two of 27 local governments
Zulum Inaugurates Borno’s 2024 Hajj Committee
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has inaugurated the 2024 Hajj committee that would ensure the proper welfare of Pilgrims from the state during the forthcoming 2024 Hajj exercise.
Inaugurating the committee on Saturday at the council chamber of the government house in Maiduguri, Zulum assured improved welfare for all pilgrims from Borno State.
The 21-member committee would be chaired by the Senator representing Borno Central, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan.
The governor charged the committee members to work diligently towards meeting the expectations of pilgrims from Borno State.
He said, “I urge you to be dedicated in order to reduce some of the complaints by pilgrims.”
Zulum also noted that the pilgrim welfare board would be reorganised to become a commission to reduce the financial burden resulting from the pilgrimage activities by the government.
“We have to reorganise the Pilgrim Welfare Board; we shall convert the board to a commission. Establishing a commission reduces government spending and ensures more accountability and transparency,” Zulum said.
The governor also explained why the deputy governor, who has been the Chairman of the state Hajj committee for the last four years could not serve in that capacity this year.
Zulum said, “Since I assumed office as governor of Borno in 2019, the deputy governor has been the Chair of our Hajj committee. But this year, we decided to change because I am also going and don’t want to create a leadership vacuum in the state. He will oversee the affairs of the state in my absence.”
Responding, the committee’s Chairman, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, urged the committee members to consider the assignment a serious job involving issues of welfare, safety and the logistics involved from Maiduguri to Saudi Arabia and returning them to the country.
He expressed gratitude to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for finding them worthy and assured him of delivering on the task given to them.
Zulum Inaugurates Borno’s 2024 Hajj Committee
IED planted by ISWAP Kills 8 Civilian JTF Members In Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
At Least 8 members of the Civilian Joint Task Force have been killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by ISWAP terrorists in Gamborun Local Government Area of Borno State.
It was gathered that the victims instantly died after they stepped on a landmine suspected to have been planted by ISWAP on Saturday, April 27, 2024, on their way to Maiduguri from Gamborun Ngala.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that three other victims sustained various degrees of injuries.
The wounded were evacuated to the hospital while the nine CJTF who paid the supreme price were taken to their families for burial arrangements.
IED planted by ISWAP Kills 8 Civilian JTF Members In Borno
Zulum Approves Employment for 15 People with Disability
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum has approved the employment of 15 people with disability with bachelor’s degree certificates, NCEs, diplomas and vocational training certificates.
The governor gave the approval in Maiduguri on Friday night at the Government House.
He said: “I am delighted to note that despite your disability, you people are not lazy; you decided to pursue your education, and for this, I want to commend you.
“I directed the Commissioner of Education to process your application for employment for my approval immediately. Therefore, I want to bring to your kind notice that you should be on the payroll of Borno State Government effective 1st May, 2024, in sha Allah.”
He directed the commissioner of education, Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe, to review the activities of all the blind schools in Borno State in order to train more people with disability.
Zulum also ordered the Ministry of Education to work out modalities for introducing the teaching of special education courses at the College of Education in Bama.
“I am happy that they have obtained their qualifications in different specialisations. Let’s strengthen the College of Education in Bama to start delivering courses on special education,” Zulum ordered.
Earlier in his address, Borno State Branch Chairman of the Nigerian Association of the Blind, Mohammed Mustapha, expressed gratitude to Governor Zulum for approving employment for his members.
Zulum Approves Employment for 15 People with Disability
Zulum Inaugurates Borno’s 2024 Hajj Committee
IED planted by ISWAP Kills 8 Civilian JTF Members In Borno
Zulum Approves Employment for 15 People with Disability
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