Southern Borno and Zulum’s Inclusivity Galore

By Dauda Iliya

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s recent working trip to the Southern Borno Senatorial Zone opened more vistas into his passion for inclusivity in the conduct of governance; and his commitment to justice and fairness in the equitable distribution of infrastructural development and services across the state.

A public or political office holder’s passion and commitment to serving an entity are normally weighed on the scale of what, in principle and practice, is the social contract binding him and the entity he serves, on the sacred ideals of justice and fairness to all sections of the entity.

Given the monumental destruction of development infrastructures and services by insecurity over the last fifteen years, reconstructing Borno State from the rubbles that littered its vast physical and economic landscapes has always required inclusivity in the distribution of development infrastructures and services for the speedy and sustainable reconstruction of the state in all facets.

Over the last five years since his ascension to the governorship saddle, Zulum was lavishly reported to have executed over one thousand meaningful and durable reconstruction and economic revitalization projects equitably distributed across the three Senatorial zones of the state.

He was apparently spurred to do so by his passion for inclusivity in the conduct of governance on the ideals of administrative and political justice and fairness to all.

Always on his heels, trotting around the state, performing the groundbreaking for development projects, supervising or commissioning completed and equipped such projects across the three senatorial zones of the state, Prof Zulum seeks to equitably satisfy and earn the reverence of every zone as a just and fair governor.

It was, therefore, in sustenance of this tradition that he undertook his latest round of such working trips to the Southern Borno Senatorial Zone.

Governor Zulum commissioned the state-of-the-art eye and dental hospitals and a mega secondary school in Biu Local Government Area of the Southern Borno Senatorial Zone.

The 40-bed capacity eye hospital, equipped with advanced diagnostic and surgical facilities, is to address the growing need for ophthalmological care in the zone.

To ensure the hospital achieves its purpose, Zulum instantly approved the appointment of a team of highly trained medical doctors and specialists who will offer treatments for cataracts, glaucoma and other vision-related ailments.

The 30-bed capacity dental hospital is to provide comprehensive oral health services, including preventive care, orthodontics and restorative treatments, ensuring that residents no longer have to travel long distances for dental care.

While commissioning the two health facilities, Zulum underscored his administration’s commitment to improving the quality healthcare for Borno’s citizens.

His words: “Healthcare is one of the cardinal pillars of the Borno State’s 25-Year Development Plan and the 10-Year Strategic Transformation Initiative. Reflecting on this commitment, we allocated 15 percent of the state’s budget to health sector in the 2024 and 2025 fiscal year in line with the Abuja declaration recommendation for healthcare financing to prioritize health and well-being of our people.”

Governor Zulum, while inaugurating the two healthcare facilities, announced the release of funds for the construction of 5 general hospitals across the state, one each in Askira Uba, Magumeri, Gubio, Mafa and Dikwa local government areas.

He reiterated his commitment to addressing the manpower needs in the healthcare centres in order to provide optimal healthcare to the people of Borno.

He said: “We recognize that the development of a resilient healthcare system necessitates more than just physical infrastructure. The availability of skilled healthcare professionals is equally crucial.

“To address this shortage of manpower, we are launching a multidimensional initiative, incorporating a range of measures to attract, train, retain, develop skilled healthcare professionals and talents and collaboration with educational institutions among others.”

The governor also commissioned a mega secondary school at Miringa, in Biu local government area designed to accommodate over 1,300 students. The school consists of 60 classrooms, an ICT centre and four laboratories among other facilities that enhance teaching and learning activities.

He distributed text and exercise books, uniforms, school sandals and a bicycle for each of the enrolled students to ease movement from the nearby villages.

Over decades, Southern Borno has been reputed for its monumental quantum of agriculture production.

Governor Zulum, therefore, explored the possibility of enabling the zone to maintain and elevate that enviable status, in keeping with Nigeria’s unfolding economic diversification policies and programmes from the oil to the agricultural sectors.

He, consequently, with what sounded like a loud bang, announced his administration’s resolve to resuscitate the 40 years old Biu Dam to Boost irrigation farming in the zone and tackle the perennial water scarcity bedeviling Biu and the neighbouring local governments.

Zulum announced the resolve during his traditional homage to the Emir of Biu, Mai Mustapha Umar Mustapha II, at his palace in Biu, as part of his two-day working trip to the zone.

He underscored the critical importance his administration places on irrigation farming as part of its efforts to enhance food security and provide sustainable livelihoods for victims of Boko Haram insurgency.

He told the royal farher: “Your Highness, I want to assure you that we will revitalize the Biu Dam to bolster irrigation farming in your emirate. Agriculture is one of the cardinal pillars of my administration and we will continue to invest in the sector to ensure food security in the state.”

In a dramatic move to bolster the local economy and upscale small, mini, and micro enterprises, the governor disbursed N1 billion to 9,403 MSMEs in Biu and Hawul LGAs. Over the past five years, Zulum has launched similar initiatives aimed at tackling poverty head-on and revitalising the battered economy of Borno.

The breakdown revealed that N560.3 million was distributed to 5,603 entrepreneurs, with each receiving N100,000. Additionally, N439.7 million was allocated to 1,800 youths and vulnerable households in Biu, along with a further 2,000 entrepreneurs from Hawul.

Consequently, Zulum during the visit also laid the foundation for the construction of 600 two-bedroom semi-detached houses for teachers and health professionals in five different locations. They are 100 houses each in Biu, Magumeri, Hawul, Gubio and 200 at Borno State Teaching Hospital.

In the spirit of inclusivity, administrative and political justice and fairness in spreading equitable development across the three senatorial zones of the state, Governor Zulum promised to roll out many more development projects in Southern Borno before the end of his tenure in 2027.

Professor Babagana Umara Zulum’s recent working trip to Southern Borno Senatorial Zone was an enviable showcase of a governor’s passion for the principle and practice of Inclusivity in equitable service delivery to the three zones of the state.

It was a showcase of Inclusivity Galore.

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

Southern Borno and Zulum’s Inclusivity Galore