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How Zulum Signposts Borno Renascence

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How Zulum Signposts Borno Renascence

…_Accomplished more than 20 Impact-driven Engagements in One Month._

Global testaments: Zulum’s policies, programmes and projects are credible milestones to Borno rebirth

By: auda Iliya

Often, the beginning of the year is typically devoid of splendour and fanfare following the festive season.

However, this was not the case for the Borno State governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, as he began the New Year in his vintage tradition of trotting around the state, delivering service to the various communities according to the state recovery policies and programmes.

Governor Zulum had registered nearly 30 high-impact, people-centred accomplishments, covering various parts of the state and extending beyond the country’s shores, in the month of January 2025.

On the 1st day, the Governor delighted pensioners in the state with a New Year gift, announcing the allocation of 8 billion naira for the payment of outstanding pensions and gratuities for retired primary school teachers and other civil servants.

Zulum plays no politics with the issue of education and its providers – the teachers, serving or retired, to whom he accords critical recognition, as he lays the sound foundation for the state’s rapid recovery, stabilization and growth, with education as the springboard.

Therefore, to spur all serving teachers to offer their best services and assure them of an economically-secure retirement life, Zulum, for a spectacular instance, announced that backlog of liabilities in pensions and gratuities be cleared for retired primary school teachers and other civil servants that have worked with the government between 2019 and 2021, promising: “I will clear all liabilities before I leave office in 2027.”

In a striking move, Zulum spent his first official working day of the year in Bama, with a daring and historic visit to Abbaram, a community in the outskirt of Bama town, in a bid to advance recovery and resettlement efforts in the region.

Since 2019, Zulum has been trotting around the state, clearing all encumbrances in the resettlement and rehabilitation of the returnee communities and ministering to their needs.

“Our goal is not just to rebuild what was lost but to lay a foundation for a sustainable future. We will assess communities for IDP relocation, reconstruct critical infrastructure, and establish educational facilities to serve the people of Bama,” he said.

Similarly, during his 2-day working visit to Bama, he announced the spectacular gesture of subsidizing the price of petrol to N600 for farmers in communities affected by insurgency and his simultaneous distribution of farm inputs to 5,000 returnees.

While a litre of petrol sold between N1,000 and N1,200 in Maiduguri and surrounding LGAs, it was subsidized to the farmers for N600. This was aimed at alleviating the financial burdens faced by farmers in communities that have suffered economic and infrastructural destruction due to years of conflict.

Zulum recalled that a similar initiative implemented in Damasak, Mobar Local Government Area, last year has significantly increased food production and improved livelihoods.

Consequently, on the 6th day, the governor signed the 2025 appropriation bill of N615.8 billion into law. Zulum presented the budget estimate of N584.76 billion on the 9th of December, 2024, passed by the State Assembly on 24th December with a marginal increase of N31 billion after extensive deliberations by members of the House.

“This year is very important for me because I want to complete all my promises I made during 2023 electioneering campaigns,” Zulum said.

On the same day, Zulum presided over the maiden state executive council meeting for the year 2025, where 42 memos were considered.

Some of the far-reaching decisions made included the approval to rename Borno State University to Kashim Ibrahim University Maiduguri, streets naming and house numbering, the dualisation of Airport road, and other projects in the health and education sectors.

Relatedly, on the 7th day, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum delivered the 20th-anniversary lecture Al-Hikmah University in Ilorin, Kwara State, themed “Two Decades of Excellence: Al Hikmah University’s Impact on Scholarship and Educational Development in Nigeria “.

On 8th day, the Governor visited N’djamena, Chad republic for the 2025 MNJTF, Operation Desert Sanity 2 medal award.

In his usual benevolence, Zulum donated N300 million to the families of troops who lost their lives in the ongoing battle against Boko Haram insurgents.

He said the donation would be disbursed through the “Tribute to Our Troops Charity Foundation,” which aims to honour the fallen heroes, celebrate serving men and women who fight endlessly to keep Nigeria’s territorial integrity intact and reach out to the families they left behind.

On the 9th day, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum inaugurated 3 boards in an efforts to bolster the healthcare delivery service in the state. They are, the Kashim Ibrahim Teaching Hospital management board, the Hospitals Management Board and the State Primary Healthcare Development Board.

On the same day, Zulum commissioned some projects executed by the management of Borno Geographic Information Service (BOGIS) where the he commended the Executive Secretary, Engr. Adam Bukar Bababe for transforming land administration in the state.

On the 10th day, the Governor played host to the Director General, Nigerian Institute of Leather Science and Technology (NILEST), Dr. Auwal Mustapha Imam at the Government House. Zulum expressed commitment to revitalizing the leather and hides and skin industry to drive economic growth.

Zulum on the 11th day launched Nigeria’s first-of-its-kind livestock ranch at Ngarannam, Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State.

Delivering his address, Governor Zulum noted that Ngarannam Livestock Improvement and Ranch Settlement is a 4-square km project built for 461 nomadic families from eighteen communities affected by Boko Haram insurgency.

On the 13th day, the Borno State governor launched a free eye surgery programme for 10,000 residents suffering from various visual impairments, including cataracts.

As part of his agricultural production resuscitation drive in the Lake Chad shores, Governor Zulum on the 15th day, inspected the 2,000-hectare solar-powered surface irrigation system being used for the cultivation of wheat and cassava in Mile 3, Baga, Kukawa local government.

The governor emphasized that this irrigation project marks a significant milestone in efforts to enhance farming activities and achieve food security not only in Borno State but across the nation.

Another gleaming signpost to Borno renascence is Zulum’s mass housing units and ICT centre at Monguno.

The German Ambassador, Annet Gunther on the 16th day unveiled the resettlement houses for internally displaced persons (IDPs), Nigeria’s UNDP Country Representative, Elsie Attafuah conducted the commissioning of a 100-person capacity ICT centre to facilitate digital education.

Zulum announced that these accommodations will play a crucial role in the voluntary decongestion and eventual closure of some IDP camps in Monguno, ensuring a smoother transition for resettling families.

So exceptionally well, Governor Zulum seems to have performed in signposting a renascent Borno that the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) on the 20th day, decorated the Governor with a fellowship and announced a plan to commission a study on the positive impact of his administration.

EU has joined supra national agencies in the race to praise Governor Zulum Borno Post-Conflict recovery efforts.

On the 24th day, the European Union noted with fascination the Muna Vocational Training Institute, which trains youth, particularly those affected by the over one-decade-long Boko Haram insurgency.

Similarly, on the 27th day, the Governor opened the Banki International Cattle Market in the border town of Banki, Bama local government.

On the 28th day. Zulum joined the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima to officially open the 6th Expanded National MSME Clinics and Fashion Hub in Maiduguri, where an unconditional grant of N300,000 was given to participating entrepreneurs.

On the 29th day, Zulum participated in the 5th edition of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum meeting in Maiduguri.

Zulum emphasized during the 3-day meeting that his administration has prioritized agricultural transformation as a key pillar of our recovery strategy, with a focus on irrigation systems, resilient crop production and support for smallholder farmers to ensure food security for the people.

He called for the establishment of large-scale irrigation farms as key solution to addressing the escalating food insecurity in the Lake Chad Basin region.

The adoption of the Borno Model of societal recovery by the governors of the eight terror-troubled states of the Lake Chad Basin at the end of the fifth edition of their Forum’s meeting in Maiduguri, Borno State, Friday, January 31, 2025 delivered two salient messages about the rebuilding and stabilization of a region pummeled for a decade and a half by a global-class terror and its concomitant humanitarian crisis.

Global and regional agencies and personalities have delivered lavish testament to the fact that every policy, programme and project by Governor Babagana Zulum’s administration in Borno State is a signpost to a post-terror renascent Borno bubbling with possibilities, potentials and opportunities for a sustainable prosperity.

Indeed, the month of January had been full of engagements, as Zulum signposts Borno renascence.

Dauda Iliya is the Special Adviser on Media/Spokesperson to Borno State Governor.

How Zulum Signposts Borno Renascence

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FG unveils 39 inmate transport vehicles, armoured booths for prison security

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FG unveils 39 inmate transport vehicles, armoured booths for prison security

By: Our Reporter

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the minister of interior, has inaugurated 39 mini-green Maria vehicles to ensure the safe transportation of inmates to courts during trials.

In a statement on X, the ministry said the commissioning took place at the headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

The minister also unveiled four armoured security guard booths to protect correctional facilities from external aggression by non-state actors.

“The Hon. Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, today inaugurated four armored security guard booths at the Nigerian Correctional Service headquarters to enhance the defense of correctional facilities against external threats,” the statement reads.

“He also unveiled 39 mini-green Maria vehicles designed to ensure the secure transportation of inmates to court during trials. These efforts reflect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dedication to the safety and welfare of officers and inmates.

FG unveils 39 inmate transport vehicles, armoured booths for prison security

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Damaturu Flyover: The Making of A Befitting State Capital

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Damaturu Flyover: The Making of A Befitting State Capital

By: Mamman Mohammed

Since the news about the signing of the Damaturu fly over contract filtered the air, it attracted accolades in many quarters and of course, reservations in some quarters. This is very normal and usual with every human endeavour.

It is pertinent to note that His Excellency the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, while presenting the 2025 budget to the state House of Assembly, emphatically said “The widespread of road projects is intended to give a facelift and accessibility to our communities. Government is committed to the completion of the seventeen ongoing road projects, and to embark on eleven new ones. The completion of the township roads and drainages in five Local Government Areas is very dear to the government. I am also pleased to inform you that work would soon commence for the construction of the Damaturu flyover. We would also commence work on the Damaturu Green Economic City”.

Similarly, the budget allocated funds to other sectors to run simultaneously to improve the lives of the people without obstructing the execution of other projects and programmes in other sectors.

Importantly, the budget went through open process of careful and critical scrutiny, with Civil Society Organizations, individuals and groups in attendance.

Throughout the public sitting, none of the interest groups and individuals identified any project including the Damaturu flyover road as a misplacement of priority that would be at the expense of another, and as they may say, it is robbing Peter to pay Paul.

There is no doubt that the Damaturu flyover project will not only check the numerous congestion and accidents in the metropolis but, also beautify Damaturu, from a glorified local government headquarters to a beffiting state capital that is comparable to its peers, and a pride of every Yobean.

This takes us to the Muhammadu Buhari lnternational Cargo Airport as a reference point. When Gov. Buni took over the leadership of the state in 2019, there was an argument for and against the completion of the airport.

Many people described it as a wasteful project while others urged the new administration to ensure its completion. And when Gov. Buni finally announced the completion of the airport which was still at skeletal stage, it put such arguments to halt.

Gov. Buni’s argument was that, abandoning the project at that level would be a monumental loss to the state that would only attract untold inflation whenever any administration decides to complete the airport. Thanks to the wise decision, and the deep futuristic thinking by Governor Buni.

Today, the argument over the completion of the airport is now history. It is
completed and commissioned. It remains
one of the iconic legacy projects, with a very prosperous future to the state.

Already, some international investors have indicated interest in direct and indirect investments in the state. The Qatari business community and most recently, the Moroccan Investment, lmport and Export Development Agency, said the airport is a window to a fruitful economic partnership that would generate employment and wealth creation.

The same criticisms greeted the Kano, Maiduguri, Yola, Kaduna and Jalingo flyovers.

Surprisingly, some characters who lauded the flyovers elsewhere have suddenly changed their positions with the Damaturu flyover.

As a known fact, there may be no single government project or programme that would generate100% support from the public, as everyone may have his opinion for or against such project.

We should always see such projects positively and support government in its development strides to make Damaturu a state capital that is in tune with the changing times.

Damaturu Flyover: The Making of A Befitting State Capital


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Kidnapped Munya LGA Secretary Regains Freedom as Security Forces Intensify Rescue Efforts

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Kidnapped Munya LGA Secretary Regains Freedom as Security Forces Intensify Rescue Efforts

By: Zagazola Makama

The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the release of Usman Daina, the Secretary of Munya Local Government Council, who was abducted by armed bandits.

Daina was freed unhurt following a sustained pursuit operation by security forces. However, authorities have stated that efforts are still ongoing to rescue other victims who remain in captivity and to ensure the arrest of the perpetrators.

Zagazola Makama had reported that On Feb. 21, 2025, heavily armed bandits launched an attack on Munya Local Government Area, abducting several residents, including the council secretary.

It was gathered that that the assailants moved from Chibani forest through the Shakwata axis before striking various communities, including the Dandaudu area of Munya LGA.

The attackers invaded homes, looted food supplies, and forcefully took away multiple victims.

Following the abduction, the Nigerian Army troops, police tactical teams, vigilantes, and other security forces were deployed to track the movements of the kidnappers.

Their aggressive pursuit led to the successful release of Daina, while efforts continue to rescue the remaining captives and dismantle the criminal network responsible for the attack.

Sources said that the security forces are currently conducting aerial surveillance, intelligence-driven operations, and ground raids on identified bandit hideouts in the region.

Kidnapped Munya LGA Secretary Regains Freedom as Security Forces Intensify Rescue Efforts

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