Zulum meets 56 state-sponsored doctors, approves training fund, others

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved a special training fund for the 56 medical doctors currently undergoing residency training under the state’s sponsorship.

The governor granted the approval during an interactive meeting with the resident doctors at the Government House in Maiduguri on Thursday. 

The meeting was convened at the governor’s instance to assess the progress of the doctors’ training and address any challenges hindering their seamless progression in their various places of primary assignments.

Beyond approving the training fund, Zulum also approved the immediate implementation of promotional benefits for all resident doctors due for career progression. 

He directed that the promotions be implemented with immediate effect and that all arrears be paid to the beneficiaries, dating back to the effective date of their promotions.

The governor also directed the Borno State Hospital Management Board to organise a similar interaction with other medical doctors in the state who are not undergoing residency training.

He reiterated that the welfare of all health workers in the state remained a top priority for his administration, stressing that a motivated workforce is essential for delivering quality healthcare services to the people of Borno.

“My administration is committed to creating an enabling environment for our health professionals. We understand that without their dedication, we cannot achieve the needed health coverage we desire for our citizens,” the governor stated.

The meeting was attended by key stakeholders in the health sector, including the Commissioner for Health, Professor Baba Mallam Gana; the chairman of the State Hospital Management Board, Dr Joseph Jatau; and the Chief Medical Director, Professor Abubakar Kullima.

Also in attendance were the acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe; the Chief Adviser to the Governor, Dr Mairo Mandara, the Executive Director, Borno State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Professor Arab Alhaji Mohammed and the Chief Medical Director of the Kashim Ibrahim University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Ibrahim Musa Kida.

Zulum meets 56 state-sponsored doctors, approves training fund, others

Ramadan: Borno Distributes Palliatives to 300,000 Households

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has launched the distribution of Ramadan relief materials to 300,000 vulnerable households across the state’s 27 local government areas, in one of the largest social support interventions this year.

The flag-off ceremony, held at Ramat Square in Maiduguri on Tuesday, marks the beginning of a statewide exercise aimed at easing the economic hardship faced by residents during the holy month of Ramadan.

Under the scheme, each beneficiary household will receive a bag of rice, a bag of millet and 10 kilogrammes of sugar.

Addressing members of the distribution committee and government officials at the event, Zulum issued a stern warning against diversion of the relief materials, insisting that the exercise must be conducted with strict accountability.

He said: “These items are not for sale. They are not meant for your friends or family members who do not need them.”

He stressed that the palliatives are intended for widows, orphans, internally displaced persons, struggling farmers and low-income earners grappling with rising living costs. Any official found compromising the process, he warned, would face legal consequences.

Zulum emphasised that fairness and transparency must guide the operation to ensure that the most vulnerable residents benefit from the intervention.

In a move reflecting religious inclusivity, the governor directed that Christian residents observing Lent — which coincides with Ramadan this year — should also benefit from the distribution.

He noted that his administration has consistently supported Christian communities, particularly during major religious celebrations. Beyond annual Christmas food distributions, the state government also provides free transportation for non-indigenous Christians travelling to celebrate the festive season with their families outside Borno.

Meanwhile, the senator representing Borno Central, Kaka Shehu Lawan, and the Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijani, praised the governor’s intervention, describing it as timely and critical in light of ongoing economic pressures.

Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Ali Abdullahi Isa, assured residents that the agency has put mechanisms in place to ensure a smooth and orderly distribution process across all local government areas.

The event drew a large turnout of senior government officials, including members of the House of Representatives, the Speaker and principal officers of the Borno State House of Assembly, and other key stakeholders.

With the rollout now underway, the Borno State Government says the exercise is part of broader efforts to strengthen social safety nets and support communities still recovering from years of insurgency and economic disruption.

Ramadan: Borno Distributes Palliatives to 300,000 Households

Buni commits to infrastructural development to improve the lives of the people in Yobe

By: Yahaya Wakili

The Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, has assured the commitments of his administration to continue providing infrastructure to improve the lives of the people of the state.

Governor Buni disclosed this yesterday while inspecting the Machina sesame seed processing factory, now completed and awaiting commissioning, adding that we are here to see for ourselves the value for our money we spent here to establish this sesame processing factory.

“We hope the community will make good use of this sesame processing factory, and this is one of the four that we established in Yobe State, and all are completed and awaiting commissioning,” Buni said.

The governor also inaugurated the Rugar Balarabe project, which was constructed by a philanthropist, Alhaji Abdullahi Balarabe D J. The Fulani settlement projects include houses, a school, a clinic, and a mosque, and it was named Rugar Balarabe village after him.

Governor Buni called on all public and separate individuals to emulate Alhaji Balarabe D. J. on what he has done for that Fulani community, noting that we have seen the multiplier effect of what he has put there and, of course, the benefit that goes to the community.

He commends him and appreciates him on behalf of the good people of the community, Nguru local government council, Yobe state, and Nigeria, and also calls on other public separate individuals to emulate and complement the effort of the government.

Governor Buni also attended the finals of the Machina Cultural Festival (MACUF) and commended the Machina emirate for preserving the rich culture of the people, as he said, the occasion is a perfect blend of the old and new.

He warned the youths against the use of drugs and other social vices; they should make their parents, emirate, and the Yobe state proud by being upright and responsible for us to have responsible future leaders.

In another development, Governor Mai Mala Buni has consoled the Bazuwa family over the fire inferno that razed down 12 shops in Potiskum town.

Governor Buni described the incident as sad and unfortunate, adding that it was destined to happen, and expressed his gratitude to Almighty Allah that no life was lost during the fire accident.

Buni commits to infrastructural development to improve the lives of the people in Yobe