News
Zulum Consolidates 5th Year with 238 Projects
Zulum Consolidates 5th Year with 238 Projects
…Delivers 1,195 Developmental Projects, Programmes and Policies in 5 Years
By: Our Reporter
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State continued his commitment towards transforming the state in the first year of his second tenure of office. He consolidated on democratic gains by delivering 238 additional projects in the First Year of his Second Tenure, from May 29, 2023 to May 29, 2024. In 5 Years, Zulum has cumulatively accomplished no less than 1,195 developmental projects and capital-intensive programmes and policies that are people oriented.
It would be recalled that over 900 projects, programmes and policies were delivered during Zulum’s First Tenure [May 29, 2019 to May 29, 2023].
The 238 projects delivered in the first 365 days of his Second Tenure comprise of 220 capital projects and 18 capital-intensive programmes and policies, most of which were completed.
The achievements included 54 projects on Education, across 23 Local Government Areas, including 36 new Mega and Regular Senior/Junior Secondary and Primary Schools, High Islamic College and Integrated Tsangaya schools, including admin blocks, teachers’ quarters, laboratories, sporting facilities, solar systems, new ICT laboratories and 88 science laboratories in 22 schools, 58 vehicles for monitoring and evaluation of schools, 6,529 furniture sets for schools and education offices, among others.
In the Health sector, Zulum delivered 19 projects in 10 LGAs across all the 3 Senatorial Zones, including 6 new primary healthcare centers (PHCs), new General Hospital, 2 new Eye and Dental Hospitals, block of classrooms at a Nursing School, construction of 2 new Colleges of Nursing, the rehabilitation of 3 General Hospitals, and state-wide initiatives [solar systems in 22 PHCs and a General Hospital, supply of medical equipment, essential drugs, and consumables, etc]. Works and Housing got 20 projects across 6 LGAs, transforming urban and rural landscapes.
On Works, Zulum constructed Borno’s second flyover and an underpass pedestrian bridge, while the third flyover is under construction.
The construction of 32.77km urban and rural roads, including dual carriage ways, drainages, and road networks are under way, procured tracked paver, bulldozer to facilitate direct labour works in the state and ensure judicious utilisation of scarce resources.
On Housing, government has constructed 2 separate estates, comprising of 500-units; and 72-units 3-bedroom flats with road networks delivered for civil servants and residents.
On Security, Zulum supported the post-insurgency operations with 94 brand new Hilux, 62 Toyota Land Cruiser (Samsara) patrol vehicles, assorted security gadgets, equipment and logistics; procured 300 new motorcycles; repaired/upgraded 49 vehicles; and built a new office complex with support facilities for the Borno State Security Trust Fund to support security architecture and operations.
On Vocational and Entrepreneurship skills, government has completed and equipped 5 vocational institutes across Borno’s 3 Senatorial Zones in 10 LGAs, it has also constructed 3 ICT centres, trained 832 youths and empowered them with start-up kits, as well as training of 200 youths as agricultural extension workers and 400 farming households.
On Trade, Investment and Tourism 4 capital-intensive projects in 3 LGAs, including the complete reconstruction and rehabilitation of Maiduguri Monday market, which was razed by fire in February 2023 were carried out. He also constructed 176 shops [8-blocks of 22 open shops] with solar power at new Tashan Bama market [Phase II], established a new Agro Logistics Hub; rehabilitated the Gamboru Ngala cattle market; and remodelled the Borno State Hotel to boost revenue and tourism.
There were also 7 projects on Transportation and Energy in 4 LGAs, to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal, comprising 150 vehicles [50 buses and 100 E-Star hatchback electric cars.
To subsidise metro city transport, the administration procured 500 electric tricycles, 300 electric and 10,000 manual bicycles.
He also procured and installed electricity transformers [across 14 locations] and 7,675 solar streetlights for roads in 9 locations in 2 LGAs. To support and boost economic livelihoods, Zulum’s government purchased five J5 vehicles, 30 tricycles and 10 Golf Wagon for Baga’s resettled communities.
In Agriculture, Zulum initiated 29 new projects and resuscitated moribund ones in 13 LGAs, including the procurement and distribution of 2 swamp buggies for waterway desilting, typer grass clearing, hundreds of water pumps, about 2,000 assorted irrigation/hand pumps and tube wells, irrigation farm inputs, hundreds of assorted fertilizer trucks, assorted agro-chemicals, spray equipment, improved seedlings, livestock feeds and vaccines],
Improvement of 225 hectares solar surface and sprinkler irrigation systems; 2,060 irrigation tube wells/wash boreholes and solar/petrol tube wells; 10 hectares drip irrigation scheme, agro logistics hub, livestock investigation/breeding, poultry demonstration and holding centres, and poultry production unit. He also resuscitated about 100 hectares Jaffi and Ngulayi irrigation schemes, among others.
Governor Zulum has continuously ensured food and nutrition security for the whole Borno population while supporting farmers to return to farming as part of livelihood restoration
Other sectoral achievements include 26 new, rehabilitated and upgraded projects in the Urban and Rural Water Supply sectors; 6 new and rehabilitated Rural and Urban Electrification projects; 35 newly completed and rehabilitated projects on Reconstruction, Resettlement and Civil Authority Restoration; and 8 new and ongoing projects on the Environment.
18 capital-intensive programmes and policies executed on investments in human capital development, Education and Public Service, providing Humanitarian Support and Social Protection to vulnerable population, as well as the payment of gratuity to retirees.
Government is poised to support the return of its indigenes’ from Niger, Tchad and Cameroun. while it concentrate the voluntary resettlement of IDPs in their ancestral homes in a dignified manner following the Kampala Convention.
Governor Zulum is also working tirelessly to actualize the Borno Model, applauded even by the United Nations to find Durable and sustainable for Borno Communities in his quest for reconstruction, resettlement and rehabilitation thus “Building Borno Back and Better”
Zulum Consolidates 5th Year with 238 Projects
NIMC Pushes Digital Identity Reforms to Boost Service Delivery, Security
By: Michael Mike
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) through the deployment of secure digital identity systems aimed at improving governance, enhancing national security, and expanding access to public services.
Speaking at a digital conference in Abuja themed “Building Africa’s Digital Foundations Together,” the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, represented by the Head of Infrastructure Technology and Identity Databases, Mr. Sulaiman Falade, said the commission is driving reforms and institutional partnerships to build an inclusive and interoperable digital identity ecosystem.
According to her, the National Identification Number (NIN) has become central to Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, serving as a key tool for identity verification, biometric authentication, and access to both government and private sector services.
She noted that following the Presidential Directive issued on April 5, 2024, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were mandated to integrate the NIN into digital services, particularly in areas involving data capture, identity verification, and authentication processes.
Coker-Odusote stated that NIMC has already established implementation structures to ensure compliance with the directive and to deepen the adoption of digital identity solutions across the country.
She further stressed that the Federal Government’s vision is to establish a unified, secure, and transparent digital identity framework capable of supporting efficient service delivery and accountability in governance.
The NIMC boss added that the commission is also advancing Nigeria’s broader digital governance goals through the deployment of the National Public Key Infrastructure (nPKI), a system designed to strengthen trust in digital transactions, safeguard citizens’ data, and promote secure online interactions.
She called on stakeholders in both the public and private sectors to continue supporting the implementation of Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem, noting that the initiative is critical to national development and economic growth.
According to her, NIMC remains committed to leveraging technology and innovation to build a more connected, efficient, and resilient nation.
NIMC Pushes Digital Identity Reforms to Boost Service Delivery, Security
Tinubu Sweeps Zulum’s Ward with 100% Votes in APC Presidential Primary
By: Michael Mike
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recorded a landslide victory in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary election in Mafa Ward of Borno State, securing all valid votes cast in the exercise held in the home ward of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum.
The direct primary election took place at Mafa Central Primary School under the supervision of the Chairperson of the Presidential Primary Election Committee, Hajiya Inna Alkali Imam.
According to the results announced at the ward level, Tinubu polled 2,175 votes, representing 100 per cent of the valid votes cast during the exercise. Out of the 2,277 registered APC members in the ward, 2,175 were accredited and participated in the voting process.
Tinubu’s challenger, Stanley Osifo, an APC chieftain and businessman from Edo State, failed to secure any vote in the ward.
Governor Zulum, who served as the Coordinator and Collation Officer for the presidential primary in the state, said he participated in the exercise as an indigene of Mafa Ward.
“I am from Mafa Ward, and that is why I am here to witness and participate in the exercise. We have two candidates, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Mr Stanley Osifo,” Zulum stated.
The governor also commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise and the turnout of party members.
“So far so good, we have conducted the presidential primary election for Mafa Ward, and I am very impressed with the turnout. We have a total of about 2,277 registered party members in Mafa Ward, out of which 2,175 were accredited for the voting, and all of them voted for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while the other candidate scored zero,” he said.
The APC presidential primary is ongoing in several states across the country, with the party expected to collate and announce final nationwide results at a later date.
Tinubu Sweeps Zulum’s Ward with 100% Votes in APC Presidential Primary
News
I Remember At Age Of 8,General Gowon Would Send Hand Written Letter To Yusuf Signed Uncle Joe-Sanusi
I Remember At Age Of 8,General Gowon Would Send Hand Written Letter To Yusuf Signed Uncle Joe-Sanusi
By: Our Reporter
The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has recounted a touching childhood memory about former Nigerian Head of State Yakubu Gowon, portraying him as a compassionate leader who extended personal support to the family of a military officer killed during the 1966 coup.
Speaking during an interview on Signature TV, Sanusi reflected on his early years at St Anne’s Secondary School in Kaduna, where he attended school alongside Yusuf Pam, the son of the late Colonel Joseph Pam, one of the victims of the January 1966 Nigerian coup.
The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria recalled that despite the demands of national leadership, Gowon took a personal interest in the wellbeing of Yusuf following the loss of his father. According to Sanusi, the former Head of State frequently sent handwritten letters to the young boy, signing them “Uncle Joe.”
“What I remember at the age of eight was that General Gowon, as Head of State, would send a handwritten letter to Yusuf signed ‘Uncle Joe.’ That is a window into the person you are dealing with,” Sanusi said.
The Emir noted that the gesture has remained vivid in his memory over the years because it revealed a caring and humane side of leadership during one of the most turbulent periods in Nigeria’s history. He suggested that Gowon’s actions reflected empathy and a sense of responsibility toward families affected by the political upheaval of the time.
Colonel Pam was among several prominent figures who lost their lives during the 1966 coup, a pivotal event that reshaped Nigeria’s political landscape and contributed to years of instability and conflict that followed.
I Remember At Age Of 8,General Gowon Would Send Hand Written Letter To Yusuf Signed Uncle Joe-Sanusi
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NIMC Pushes Digital Identity Reforms to Boost Service Delivery, Security
Tinubu Sweeps Zulum’s Ward with 100% Votes in APC Presidential Primary
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