Zulum commissions remodelled State Hotel

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has commissioned the remodelled Borno State Hotel in Maiduguri on Monday.

The remodelled State Hotel showcases a blend of contemporary design and traditional Borno architecture. It has upgraded facilities, including a state-of-the-art conference hall, luxurious suites, and a restaurant that serves local Borno and international cuisine.

Speaking to journalists after the brief ceremony, Zulum noted that the project will foster economic growth, create job opportunities for the youth and generate revenue for the state.

Zulum also announced that his administration has started the reconstruction of Maiduguri International Hotel, which is also owned by Borno State Government.

He said: “The State Hotel has been rehabilitated very well; my administration is working towards investment that can sustain the state even without federal allocation; one way we can do this is by ensuring that we revive most of our moribund institutions, and this hotel is one of them.”

“We shall diversify our investment to ensure we earn revenue aside from the normal statutory allocation from the federation account. Within the remaining time as the governor of Borno State, we will invest in sectors that will yield more dividends to the government.”

Zulum strongly warned that management should ensure that all services rendered to the government, public officials and politicians are duly paid.

The occasion was attended by the Secretary to Borno State Government, Alhaji Bukar Tijani, Head of Service, Barrister Mallam Fannami, commissioners and other senior government officials.

Zulum commissions remodelled State Hotel

Flood: Committee disburses N18. 08 to 101,330 households as Zulum receives report

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has received the final report from the flood relief disbursement committee with about N18.08b distributed to over 101,330 families.

Providing details on the fund’s disbursement to the Governor at the council chamber of the Government House in Maiduguri on Monday, the Chairman of the committee, Engr Baba Bukar Gujibawu, revealed that ₦18.08 billion was distributed in cash to the displaced households alongside food and non-food items. Contributions totalling ₦4.3 billion from UNHCR, WFP, FAO, UNDP and other partners were instrumental in addressing immediate needs.

Gujibawu emphasised that over one million people were affected by the recent flood, with 101,330 households displaced. The disaster also resulted in the destruction of public infrastructure and farmlands and the loss of human lives.

He said the committee received a total of ₦28.2 billion through a basket fund supported by the Federal and State Governments, corporate organisations and individuals. This includes a significant ₦10 billion contribution from Borno State Government. In addition, the committee received donations of drugs, medical supplies, food and other essential items valued at billions of naira.

“The committee also allocated ₦987 million to assist 7,716 traders in affected markets, ₦313 million to 814 worship centres, ₦213 million to 267 private schools, ₦89.4 million to 1,788 youths who contributed during the flood, and ₦12.5 million to 22 private clinics”, Gujbawu stated.

The committee recommended that the remaining ₦4.45 billion be used to rehabilitate earth roads in flood-hit areas, including the Gongulong and Old Maiduguri roads. The remaining food and non-food items will be distributed to host communities.

Engr. Gujbawu expressed gratitude to Governor Babagana Zulum for his non-interference in the committee’s work and commended members for their dedication and resilience.

Responding, Governor Zulum assured the committee of implementing all the recommendations submitted, directing the immediate activation of a permanent disaster response structure at the state emergency management agency (SEMA).

Zulum also directed the Secretary to the State Government to devise modalities for properly capturing street names and house numbers in all communities within the state capital and its environs.

The governor also directed the Ministry of Works to immediately reconstruct the road networks destroyed by flood in different communities.

Zulum commended the federal government for its huge support to victims of Maiduguri flood disaster. He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership to the people of Borno during the flood disaster.

The governor also commended the committee for its extensive work: “Let me commend the members of this important committee for your meticulous work. In sha Allah, posterity will judge you positively.”

Flood: Committee disburses N18. 08 to 101,330 households as Zulum receives report

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