Zulum – I Will Hand Over a More Secure and Prosperous Borno to Gubio

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has assured that he will hand over a more stable, secure, and economically prosperous Borno to the next administration.

Governor Zulum gave the assurance on Monday when he received prominent sons and daughters of Gubio Local Government Area, led by elder statesman Alhaji Gambo Gubio, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Maiduguri, alongside the APC gubernatorial candidate, Engr. Mustapha Gubio.

The delegation also included the Chairman of the Borno State Civil Service Commission, Dr. Bulama Mali Gubio; a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Fanta Baba Shehu; the Executive Chairman of Gubio, Hon. Mali Bulama Mali; a retired Commissioner of Police; and former Council chairmen.

The Governor noted that despite the challenges confronting the state, particularly insecurity, his administration remains committed to consolidating on the gains achieved over the years and laying a stronger foundation for sustainable development.

“Security is the most difficult issue. Insha Allah, before I leave, the situation will be better than now. I will hand over a more stable, more prosperous, and more secure government to Engr. Mustapha Gubio, Insha Allah,” Zulum declared.

He emphasised that sustaining achievements is often more difficult than attaining them, urging continued support and prayers for the APC governorship candidate.

“What matters is not just success; managing success is more difficult than achieving success itself. Managing success and managing the affairs of Borno State is not easy, but with collective support, prayers, and guidance, God will give him the wisdom and energy to succeed as a candidate and, Insha Allah, as Governor,” he said.

Extolling the leadership qualities of Engr. Mustapha Gubio, Governor Zulum described him as a man of integrity, humility, and composure whom he has known for more than two decades.

“Alhaji Mustapha Gubio, I have known him for the past 26 years, since he was a student at the University of Maiduguri. His integrity is evident; he is humane, very gentle, and composed. Insha Allah, God will help him to steer the mantle of leadership of Borno State,” Zulum stated.

The Governor added, “We will continue to pray for our gubernatorial candidate so that the Almighty will give him the wisdom and the wherewithal to steer the leadership of the state.”

Reflecting on the challenges he encountered at the beginning of his administration in 2019, Zulum recalled the sacrifices required to confront the state’s security and humanitarian crises.

“When I took over the leadership of the state, in the first 55 days of my administration, I saw my children only three times. The first four years were really challenging, but Almighty Allah has helped us to see light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

The Governor expressed appreciation to the delegation for the visit. “As Muslims, when we seek Allah’s guidance and pray for the best outcome, we must accept His decision with complete faith and conviction, knowing that whatever He chooses is ultimately the best for us,” Zulum remarked.

Leader of the delegation, Alhaji Gambo Gubio, commended Governor Zulum for his pivotal role in the emergence of Engr. Mustapha Gubio as the APC governorship candidate for the 2027 election.

“We are here today to express our profound gratitude and thanks for this remarkable occasion. Words alone cannot adequately convey the depth of our feelings or fully capture all that we wish to say. However, we remain sincerely grateful and deeply appreciative,” Alhaji Gambo said.

He described the APC candidate as a worthy son of Gubio and expressed confidence in his future leadership.

Alhaji Gambo also acknowledged Governor Zulum’s achievements in security, infrastructure development, and governance, noting that “Zulum is succeeding,”.

The courtesy visit was attended by the APC State Chairman, Hon. Bello Ayuba; the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Bukar Tijani; the Acting Chief of Staff, Dr. Babagana Mustapha Malumbe; commissioners, special advisers, and other government officials.

Zulum – I Will Hand Over a More Secure and Prosperous Borno to Gubio

Zulum moves to complete ongoing projects before tenure ends

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has embarked on an intensive project inspection tour across the state, signalling a decisive push to fast-track the completion of all ongoing developments before his tenure officially ends in May, 2027.

The governor, who spent the week assessing multiple project sites in the state capital, Maiduguri, issued firm deadlines to contractors and demanded accelerated work schedules to ensure timely delivery.

Part of the projects lined up for completion are Kashim Ibrahim University Teaching Hospital, Borno State Orthopaedic Hospital, General Hospital, Kaleri, Post Office Flyover, Tashan Kano-Mashidimami Express Road, 4,000-capacity International Conference Centre, Tandari-Nietel Shoe Factory Express Road, among many others.

He continued over the weekend, visiting Kukawa Local Government Area on Saturday before proceeding to Monguno on Sunday.

In Monguno, Zulum inspected the ongoing expansion work at the College of Nursing, a strategic initiative aimed at significantly increasing human resources for the health sector. The upgraded facility is expected to train more nursing professionals, addressing critical manpower shortages in Borno’s healthcare system.

Speaking to journalists after the tour, the governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to leaving a legacy of completed, functional projects that directly benefit citizens.

Zulum also inspected Monguno Central Market works where new shops are being constructed, which, according to him, have huge economic value addition. He also noted that the state government will work towards the reopening of the Government Senior Science Secondary School, Monguno.

Senator representing Borno North and Chief Whip
of the Senate, Senator Mohanmed Tahir Monguno, expressed appreciation to Governor Babagana Zulum for the numerous developmental projects executed in the area, describing them as impactful interventions that have improved the livelihoods of the people.

“We sincerely thank Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for all the well-meaning projects he has executed in Monguno Local Government Area and across northern Borno. These projects have brought real dividends of democracy to the door steps of the people and has brought succor to the people especially against the backdrop of the devastation occasioned by Boko Haram insurgency,” Monguno said.

The governor was accompanied on the trip by the Senator representing Northern Borno, Mohammed Tahir Monguno; the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar; the Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Sugun Mai Mele; the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Mustapha Ali Busuguma; the Chief Medical Director, Hospital Management Board, Professor Abubakar Kullima, among other senior government officials.

Zulum moves to complete ongoing projects before tenure ends

Zulum Urges FG to Protect Chad Basin Assets as Senate Probes Alleged Irregular Auction of Equipment

By: Zagazola Makama

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has called on the Federal Government to safeguard critical assets belonging to the Chad Basin Development Authority (CBDA), warning that attempts to dispose of serviceable equipment under the guise of scrap metal auction could undermine agricultural recovery and economic development in the Lake Chad region.

Zulum’s call comes amid growing controversy surrounding allegations of irregular asset disposal, revenue diversion and financial misconduct within the authority, allegations that have also attracted the attention of the Senate Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation.

The governor, in a statement issued by the Directorate of Information, Ministry of Information and Internal Security, Borno State, expressed concern over reports that some individuals were attempting to remove operational equipment from CBDA facilities across northern Borno.

“It has come to the attention of the Borno State Government that some unscrupulous elements are attempting to cart away the heavy equipment domiciled at the CBDA premises and booster stations across Northern Borno in the name of scrap metal auctioning.

“The Federal Government procured this equipment at a high cost, and it is serviceable. There is no reason whatsoever to auction them, as doing so will decapitate the CBDA and cripple the agricultural value chain in our state,” Zulum said.

The governor noted that the Federal Government established the CBDA to harness the agricultural and water resources potential of the Lake Chad Basin through irrigation farming, livestock production, water supply and rural development programmes.

According to him, the recent reconstitution of the authority’s management by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources was intended to revive the organisation’s mandate and support food security, agricultural development and rural livelihoods across the North-East.

Zulum listed some of the equipment allegedly being targeted for disposal as irrigation facilities, booster stations, drilling machines, electricity-generation equipment, tractors, bulldozers, combine harvesters, pipelines and crop-processing machines.

He warned that removing such assets would effectively cripple the authority’s operational capacity and undermine efforts to revitalise agriculture in the region.

The governor further linked illegal metal scavenging to insecurity in Borno, noting that scrap metal activities had previously been associated with criminal networks and insurgent elements operating around the Lake Chad Basin, Sambisa Forest and the Timbuktu Triangle.

“In the context of Borno State, any attempt to allow metal scavenging will not only bolster insurgency and criminality but will also sabotage national defence and security,” he said.

Zulum reiterated that the state’s ban on scrap metal activities remained in force and urged the Presidency, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and security agencies to intervene and prevent the removal of public assets.

His intervention follows a series of allegations raised by whistleblowers within the authority and publicised in investigative reports, which claimed that assets originally classified as unserviceable were being disposed of through a controversial auction process.

The reports alleged that the disposal exercise had expanded beyond obsolete equipment to include serviceable and recently acquired government assets procured between 2020 and 2023.

According to the allegations, equipment reportedly affected include excavators, bulldozers, graders, drilling rigs, tractors, fuel tankers, combine harvesters, generators, transformers, official vehicles and other machinery linked to federal projects in Borno.

The whistleblowers further alleged that the disposal process lacked transparency and may have been conducted without adequate stakeholder consultation, public advertisement or competitive bidding.

They also raised concerns about alleged diversion of internally generated revenue from equipment leasing and guest house operations.

The reports named members of the current management led by the Managing Director, Tijjani Musa Tumsah, alongside other senior officials of the authority.

The controversy prompted the Senate Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation to summon the management of the authority for an investigative session at the National Assembly.

In a letter dated May 26, 2026, signed by the Clerk of the Committee, Mr Ememike Nwofor Leonard, the Senate directed the authority’s leadership to appear before it and provide comprehensive documentation relating to the ongoing disposal of assets.

The committee requested details including asset registers, valuation reports, bidding documents, approvals from relevant regulatory agencies, records of stakeholder consultations and information on successful bidders.

The Senate said it was concerned that it had not been adequately briefed on the rationale, approval procedures and statutory compliance governing the disposal of what it described as strategic public assets.

Invoking its oversight powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution, the committee also demanded evidence of approvals from relevant institutions, including the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).

The whistleblowers have similarly called on anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to investigate the allegations.

As of the time of filing this report, the management of the Chad Basin Development Authority had not issued any official response to the allegations.

Zulum Urges FG to Protect Chad Basin Assets as Senate Probes Alleged Irregular Auction of Equipment