Zulum Pledges Reforms for 2025 Hajj Operations

By: Our Reporter
 
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing the annual Hajj pilgrimage to the Holy Land for better performance. 
 
The Governor made the pledge during the presentation of the 2024 Hajj report by the Amirul Hajj team, led by the Chairman of the Committee and Senator representing Borno Central, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, at the Government House on Monday.

Zulum described the 2024 Hajj as one of the most successful in recent years. “I want to assure you that during my tenure, “we have not seen such a degree of success in recent years. I was impressed by the way and manner our pilgrims were airlifted from Maiduguri to Madina and Jidda to Maiduguri,” Zulum stated.
 
He expressed particular satisfaction with the smooth airlift operations, the quality of services provided, the dedication of the Amirul Hajj team, and the conduct of the pilgrims.”
 
“I will continue to sanitise the system for greater productivity,” Zulum stated.
 
The governor also assured the public that he would review the report thoroughly and work towards implementing the recommendations. “Within the next few hours, I will go through the report clause by clause to ensure we implement the valuable suggestions made,” he promised.
 
Commending the committee for introducing innovative solutions, Governor Zulum highlighted the use of online media to inform pilgrims about their flight schedules and the publication of pilgrim names to ensure smooth operations. “The previous practice of calling names throughout the night, which was inefficient, has been eliminated,” he noted.
 
The Governor declared that, moving forward, the Borno State government will no longer cover the cost of excess luggage for defaulting pilgrims. “We have done it this year, but we will not do it next year. If anyone reports to the airport with excess luggage, they will bear the cost themselves,” Zulum stated. 
 
He directed the Executive Secretary of the Pilgrims Board to inform all intending pilgrims for 2025 of this new policy.
 
Additionally, Governor Zulum called for the deployment of technology and the engagement of local government Hajj fare collectors to identify and eliminate individuals posing as pilgrims in the Holy Land.
 
Chairman 2024 Amirul Hajj team, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, announced that 1,803 pilgrims performed the 2024 Hajj, five pilgrims hospitalised in the Holy Land with no death recorded.
 
According to him, Governor Zulum has rendered enormous support to the pilgrims in areas of securing befitting accommodation in Mecca, covering the differential for Basic Travel Allowances (BTA) to the tune of 260 million naira, and payment of sacrificial animals amounting to 290 million naira.
 
Others include payment of 65 million Naira to the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) as medical support and 25 million for excess luggage. 
 
“His Excellency has extended hands of fellowship to the entire 1,815 pilgrims, the Amirul Hajj team, and the National Hajj Commission by extension. Some of the support rendered by Governor Zulum to the pilgrims while in the Holy Land includes the release of 380 million naira to secure a befitting accommodation in Mecca, covering BTA differentials, and payment of Hadya for all the pilgrims, among other things,” Lawan said.
 
Senator Kaka Shehu identified excess luggage as one of the challenges faced during the 2024 Hajj operations and emphasised that the success of this year’s pilgrimage was largely due to the unwavering support provided by Governor Babagana Zulum.

Zulum Pledges Reforms for 2025 Hajj Operations

Gov. Buni Signs 2025 Budget into Law

…Assures Transparecy and Accountability in Govt. Business

By: Mamman Mohammed

Yobe state governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON said the year 2025 would record timely completion of all ongoing and new projects in fulfilment of his campaign promises to the people of the state.

The Governor stated this today while signing the 2025 budget into law, saying, “this administration is committed to judicious use and investment of our resources into people oriented programmes and projects, especially, education, Healthcare delivery, agriculture, Infrastructural development, wealth Creation, and empowerment to stimulate economic growth.

“We have identified and mapped out some rich agricultural, livestock and other natural potentials for international investment to generate employment opportunities and wealth Creation. We have commenced discussions with reputable local and international organizations to harness these potentials.

“Let me seize this opportunity to draw the attention of all the supervising engineers attached to government projects. Your attachment to these projects is to protect government interests. You must ensure that every project is executed in strict compliance to specifications and other contractual agreements. I will support you, and stand with you to execute your duties effectively and efficiently.

“However, if you fail in your responsibilities, Government would not hesitate to engage external supervising engineers to ensure quality execution of our projects for the government to get value for its money.

“The Project Monitoring Committee under the leadership of Engr. Zaji Bunu is hereby advised to intensify supervision and monitoring of all projects so that the projects would be executed on schedule and in strict compliance with the contractual agreement to add value to the lives of our people” he said.

Governor Buni charged the Bureau on Public Procurement to always undertake “clinical diagnosis of contractual biddings and to patronise only competent contractors with the capacity, technical know- how and other required prerequisites”.

He assured that the State government would strive to sustain accountability and transparency in governance which earned the state the award of best performing state in transparency and accountability in Nigeria from the World Bank assisted State Fiscal Transparency Accountability and Sustainability (SIFTAS).

“I am optimistic that the new leaderships of the State Fiscal Responsibility Commission, and the Board of Internal Revenue, would both work towards enhancing accountability and prudence in revenue generation and government expenditure to promote good governance and efficient service delivery to the people” he said.

The governor charged the new Chairman Board of Internal Revenue Alhaji Suleiman Bakura to work towards improving revenue generation, block leakages and ensure remittance of all revenues collected into government coffers.

Buni also charged the new Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Alhaji Babayo Umar to key into the government efforts to advance basic education through ensuring qualitative teaching and learning, provision of instructional materials and conducive environment.

“You should ensure effective monitoring and supervision in the schools, and the execution of all projects awarded by the board.

The Governor also launched distribution of N50 Million cash grant and start-up kits to 500 beneficiaries trained by the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in production of soaps, detergents, charcoal, Shoes and disinfectants.

The beneficiaries received a cash grant of N100,000 each and a start-up kit to launch their businesses for a sustainable income generation, urging them to make good use of the opportunity for a brighter future.

Gov. Buni Signs 2025 Budget into Law

Senator Kaka Shehu Gives Educational Materials to Gov Zulum

By: Our Reporter

Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan SAN recently presented 20,000 exercise books, whiteboards, markers, and mathematical sets to the Borno State Government, as part of his ongoing support for the state’s educational development.

This gesture complements the significant investments made by Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum in the education sector, especially following the devastating flood disaster of September 10th, which caused widespread destruction of homes and educational infrastructure.

In a brief ceremony at the Government House in Maiduguri, the items were handed over to Governor Zulum in the presence of key government officials and the press. Governor Zulum expressed his gratitude for Senator Lawan’s contribution, highlighting that this gesture is part of a broader effort that includes empowerment and capacity-building initiatives across various sectors.

He assured that the donated materials would be distributed to schools to support the education of pupils in the state.

This donation underscores the collaborative effort between the state government and key stakeholders to rebuild and improve the education sector, which has received global recognition for its transformative initiatives under Governor Zulum’s leadership.

Senator Kaka Shehu Gives Educational Materials to Gov Zulum