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Special features: Borno Health sector, why Zulum is in a hurry to move it to the next level

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11 months ago

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Special features: Borno Health sector, why Zulum is in a hurry to move it to the next level

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state is a man of many parts as he has displayed in his handling of ministries departments and agencies (MDA’s)
of government since inception.
One area he has displayed very empathetic and competent tendencies for his people is the health sector. From the onset this academic turned politician left no one in doubt that he was ready to turn around this critical sector battered by war to a much more service oriented one. He pays specific attention like a father who wants the facilities to be good enough for his immediate family members to receive treatments long after he has left office.

His midnight visits to General hospitals in Borno State to see who is sincerely working for the people or not is an indication that he is not ready to tolerate mediocrity for any reason. Apart from that he had already drafted a ten points agenda of which revamping of the health sector was one of the strong pillars and was going to follow it to the letter. These acts of leadership by example manifested in the very early days of his reign as Governor.

With these leadership actions by visiting hospitals were the most vulnerable receive treatments to get better, he endeared himself to many residents in the state. Some medical workers started wondering if the Professor turned politician slept at night or not. This was because most times he will show up at such wee hours to inspect the register of attendees himself and take special note of their basic challenges. Many of them who never took their call duties important started adjusting because Zulum could appear by 2 am the next morning to check him out. It was obvious a new sheriff was in town and everyone in the medical team must be serious or face the hard music for dereliction of duties.

This to many observers is a major achievement in a war torn sub national economy where the health sector was not spared by the aggressors who destroyed the entire infrastructure of at least 22 out of 27 council areas. Both the primary and secondary sub sectors were rendered useless due to lack of basic infrastructure and manpower. It was like starting all over when Zulum took over and his night visits allowed him to see things for himself and correcting same the following day or week. Many of the secondary hospitals which used to survive on touch lights were given instant solar panels and batteries to keep them out of darkness.

Consequently, before the end of his first term, Governor Zulum knew he had to hurry up to fix most of these infrastructure which were brought down so that the people will benefit from them. By the end of his first term, a lot of primary and secondary facilities had been built in areas were they were non existent before now. And within the last two years, he has set the foundation for a state teaching hospital to come on stream at least for the first set of medical students of the Borno State University (BOSU) to acquire practical experience from cadaver to real patients. The maiden board has been created for the State Teaching hospitality and the respected Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) Professor Ahmed Ahidjo was appointed the chair.

Professor Ibrahim Kida was appointed the maiden chief medical director of the facility located at the jimtilo area of greater Maiduguri. Professor Kida is a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians, Senior Registrar West African College of Physicians, and Registrar West African College of Physicians, specialising in infectious diseases and epidemiology with a special interest in HIV/AIDS management. Alongside Prof Kida, Zulum appointed Professor Usman Tela as Chairman Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC). Similarly, Ali Mohammed was appointed Director of Administration of the Hospital and Secretary to the Management Board. Other members of the management board include a representative of the Ministry of Health; a representative of the Medical College, BOŞU; representative of the Senate, Borno State University; representative of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA); representative of the Allied Health Professionals in Borno; representative of the UMTH, and a representative of the Vice Chancellor, Borno State University. Others include Abba Marte, Samson Dibal, and Dr Musa Aji, who will represent the public interest from the three senatorial districts of Borno State. A statement then by the spokesman of the Governor Dauda Ilya quoted Zulum as saying, “Our goal is to provide our people with the best possible healthcare while also training the next generation of medical professionals.” Off course, the appointment of Professor Kida as the first CMD is a landmark because this is a man who gave his all during the covid infection years. When many thought that covid was a clear death sentence and should be avoided, Kida gave his life at the UMTH to ensure that residents of the state were well and alive. He was the live wire of the state that period because many people who should have gone to the great beyond are still alive today.
Without mincing words, obviously this is the only way to set the foundation of his own man power base which has eluded the state long before the beginning of insurgency. The appointment of Profs Ahmed Ahidjo and Ibrahim Kida is one of the best decision taken by Prof Babagana Zulum.

Primary Healthcare Sub Sector

Two years into his second term, some residents spoken to by this reporter stated that they were comfortable with the new arrangements in which solar powered primary health centres are now located in their areas. Some of them called on the Governor to bring in foreign doctors to assist at this critical primary level to ease the stress on the secondary sub sector.

They however commended him for the increase in primary health centres at almost every ward of municipal (mmc) and jere council areas of greater Maiduguri. A typical example was the building of an ultramodern primary health centre in Wulari and many other areas within greater Maiduguri which has the highest population because it still houses residents who came to stay with relatives due to the lingering insurgent war and have not gone back.

To further demonstrate his seriousness in taking the primary facilities to every council area in the state, the government has established six new Primary Healthcare Centers ( PHC) at Milda (Kwaya Kusar), Diyar (Kwaya Kusar), Ngwa (Hawul), Danbitam (Bayo), BOSU and MCH Kwaya.

Complete renovation has also taken place in 44 PHC and 3 Maternal Health Centers in 14 LGAs. They include: Mbulatawiwi, Kwajjafa-harang, FSP Askira, Jaradali, Jaragol, Teli, Gumsuri, Gora, Kubo, Lakundum, Dr. Falmata Babagana Umar, Gwoza town, Benesheikh, Mainok, Furram, Hoyo, CBDA, Dalaram, Fori, Ngomari, Gongulong, Jiddari, Maimusari, Mashamari, Dalori, Njimtilo, Jakana, MCH Konduga, Mafa, Ngwom, Mala Kyariri, Abbaganram, Bulabulin, Fatima Ali Sheriff, Gamboru, Herwa Peace, Kaalmari, Mala Kachallah, Gwange I, Gamboru Main, Gwange III, Yerwa MCH, FSP Tandari and Maternal Health Centers at Magumeri, Gubio and Bama.

With these achievements due to the right leadership, simple ailments which some residents used to rush to secondary facilities like Umaru Shehu, General Hospital Biu and the state specialist hospital could now be handled easily at these primary levels.

The second most tormenting challenge the government was facing was recruiting the right human resource to maintain these facilities. Most of the doctors working to save lives were overstretched. Nurses had the non governmental organizations (NGO’s) daily dangling carrots at them to cross over. And hundreds of nurses have indeed crossed over in the last 15 years of lingering insurgency. In spite of that the Governor Professor Babagana Zulum has been encouraging them with mouth watering scholarships to enable them finish their training and start work.

To retain more doctors, special quarters like the Buba Marwa Doctor’s Quarter’s were built for them to stay. Leaving the service meant leaving the quarters. That alone was a major attraction to keep the doctors in the state service. The second attraction activated by Governor Zulum to keep the man power was the implementation of federal pay package for doctors. That was seen as a good move by observers and it has really helped to keep the doctors down in Borno.

Achievements in the secondary health sub sector

A lot has been achieved in this sub sector which needed infrastructure and man power. Some of it includes the establishment of 150 bed capacity General Hospital Damboa, completion of the reconstruction of General Hospitals in Azare (Hawul), Uba, Magumeri, Gubio and Mafa Borgu (Shani).

While waiting for the tertiary sub sector to take off fully, the specialist hospital located at the post office area of the centre of Maiduguri has been chewing a lot more than it can bite because of its strategic roles in the well being of residents of the state Capital and beyond. So as a result of this, tremendous developments has been taking place within the complex even after the flood of September 10th last year.

As part of the achievements of Governor Zulum in this specialist hospital, there is an on going construction of a 3 storey orthopedic ward for patients. Others include the consultant offices, conference room, complete renovation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) department (including the Labour ward and Theatre), Anesthetic dept, Pharmacy, Specialist Out Patient Department (including departmental consultants’ offices), surgical wards, Accident and Emergency (A&E) and maintenance units at State Specialist Hospital.

Others include: General renovation of Theaters, 7 Bedroom staff quarters at General hospital Ngala, two theaters, and seven bedroom at General Hospital Damasak, Maternity wing, staff quarters, wards, theaters, Pharmacy and Records office at General Hospital Gwoza and off course staff quarters at General Hospital Benisheikh.

To ensure efficiency in this sub sector the government had to purchase and install power supply facilities in many general hospitals where the lingering war had caused enormous damages to these facilities. Some include the installation of 100 KVA solar power supply to the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine at the specialist hospital, 77.5 KVA generators distributed across departments and units at State Specialist Hospital, 70 KVA generator at Mamman Shuwa Memorial Hospital, 40 KVA generator each at Brigadier Abba Kyari hospital, Maryam Abatcha Women and Children Hospital, Nganzai, Ngala, Mafa, Konduga, Gwoza and
Bama General Hospitals, 75 KVA generator at Damasak and 25 KVA at Rann.

Further procurement and supply of equipment was made in the Hematology, Histopathology, Labour and Theater departments. Supply of dialysis reagents and consumables were also made to the Abdulkadir Aliyu Kidney Center in the State Specialist Hospital where dialysis is still free. During the period under review supply was made of clinical equipment, office furniture at Mamman Shuwa Memorial Hospital and procurement, installation of
manual X-ray machines at Ngala, Gwoza, Mobbar, Biu, Askira, Monguno and Rann General Hospitals.

Again to boast power supply in the absence of supplies from the grid, installation of solar power system was made at Umaru Shehu Ultra-Modern Hospital Maiduguri.
End

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National News

CDHR, CAIDOV Ask SERAP to Respect Court Judgment in DSS Defamation Suit

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2 weeks ago

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May 8, 2026

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CDHR, CAIDOV Ask SERAP to Respect Court Judgment in DSS Defamation Suit

By: Michael Mike

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has urged the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to respect the judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in the defamation suit instituted by two operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

In a statement issued on Thursday, the rights group said all individuals and organisations, including civil society bodies, must obey decisions of competent courts in line with the rule of law and democratic principles.

CDHR maintained that while advocacy organisations and citizens possess constitutional rights to freedom of expression and public criticism, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the bounds of the law.

According to the organisation, the court, after reviewing evidence presented before it, found that the publication made against the DSS operatives was defamatory and injurious to their professional reputation.

The group consequently urged SERAP to comply with all lawful directives contained in the judgment pending any appeal and refrain from statements capable of escalating tensions or undermining judicial authority.

It also advised parties and public commentators to avoid inflammatory narratives that could deepen institutional distrust or portray the judiciary as partisan without credible evidence.

“The rule of law remains the foundation of every democratic society. Human rights advocacy must coexist with accountability, fairness, and respect for due process,” the statement said.

CDHR further stressed that no organisation is above the law, just as no security agency should be immune from lawful scrutiny.

The statement was jointly signed by CDHR President and Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Debo Adeniran, and the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Jeremiah Onyibe.

Meanwhile, the Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence (CAIDOV) also criticised SERAP over its reaction to the judgment, accusing the organisation of attempting to ridicule the court’s decision.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Gbenga Soloki, CAIDOV said SERAP had continued to pin on its X handle claims that DSS operatives invaded its Abuja office on September 9, 2024, despite what it described as a misrepresentation of facts.

“We in the human rights community should lead by example. We should not be seen as the very persons breaching human rights in the name of free speech. Human rights is universal. It is for everybody. We should not trample on the rights of others simply because they chose to be security agents,” the group stated.

CAIDOV argued that the N100 million damages awarded against SERAP for defamation should not be viewed as extraordinary, citing examples of global firms sanctioned over misconduct.

“Very big corporations around the world have at one time or the other been caught lying or cheating. Just last year, Deloitte, PwC and EY Netherlands were fined $8.5 million for cheating, while KPMG Netherlands was fined $25 million in 2024 for widespread cheating on training exams. What then is the big deal in a Nigerian court imposing a N100 million fine on SERAP for defamation?” the statement added.

The group also faulted Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, for allegedly criticising the judgment instead of encouraging an appeal process.

“SERAP had nearly two years while the matter lasted in court to assemble the best lawyers in their arsenal. They failed to. All their legal luminaries waited until they lost the case, then turned to the media to wage propaganda against two DSS operatives,” CAIDOV said.

It added that it was ironic for SERAP, which had often relied on Nigerian courts to hold public institutions accountable, to now question the judiciary because the verdict did not favour it.

“If people like Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa feel they know more than our revered judges, it is not too late for him to transmute from a lawyer to a judge,” the group declared.

CDHR, CAIDOV Ask SERAP to Respect Court Judgment in DSS Defamation Suit

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Power Minister-Designate Clarifies Promise on Fixing Nigeria’s Grid in Three Months

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2 weeks ago

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May 8, 2026

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Power Minister-Designate Clarifies Promise on Fixing Nigeria’s Grid in Three Months

By: Michael Mike

The camp of Nigeria’s Minister-designate for Power, Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has dismissed media reports claiming he promised to fix the country’s troubled national power grid within three months, describing the reports as inaccurate and misleading.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his spokesperson, Adeola Adelabu, the minister-designate clarified that no such commitment was made during his Senate screening on May 6, 2026.

According to the statement, Tegbe had clearly explained that timelines for major reforms in the power sector were still being developed and would depend on technical diagnostics as well as consultations with key stakeholders.

The clarification followed widespread reports suggesting that the minister-designate pledged to completely resolve Nigeria’s persistent electricity grid problems within a three-month period.

The statement stressed that while Tegbe assured lawmakers that initial efforts aimed at stabilising the national grid would begin within his first 100 days in office, he also acknowledged that deeper structural reforms in the sector could take significantly longer.

It quoted the minister-designate as saying that reforms relating to sector credibility, gas supply, metering and operational efficiency may require about one year to achieve meaningful progress.

“My promise to this chamber and to Nigeria is that Nigerians will see visible improvement in the sector,” Tegbe reportedly told senators during the screening.

He further pledged to stabilise the national grid, modernise electricity infrastructure, strengthen commercial frameworks within the sector and enforce accountability across the entire power value chain.

On electricity tariff reforms, Tegbe reportedly assured that vulnerable households would be protected while government works to balance affordability, sector sustainability, investor confidence and operational efficiency.

The statement also emphasised that the minister-designate remains open to constructive engagement with the media and encouraged journalists to seek clarification where necessary in order to avoid misinformation.

According to the spokesperson, Tegbe views the media as critical partners in nation building and in helping Nigerians understand the scope and direction of the proposed reforms in the power sector.

Nigeria’s electricity sector has continued to face major challenges, including repeated national grid collapses, inadequate generation capacity, weak transmission infrastructure, gas supply constraints, poor metering and mounting debts across the value chain.

The minister-designate’s clarification comes amid heightened public expectations over the ability of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the country’s longstanding electricity crisis and improve power supply to homes and businesses.

Power Minister-Designate Clarifies Promise on Fixing Nigeria’s Grid in Three Months

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National News

Giwa detention facility completes 1,450 terrorism cases, moves 500 suspects for trial

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2 weeks ago

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May 6, 2026

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Giwa detention facility completes 1,450 terrorism cases, moves 500 suspects for trial

By: Zagazola Makama

The Joint Investigation Center located at Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri, says it has concluded investigations in about 1,450 terrorism-related cases, while over 500 suspects have recently been transferred for prosecution, many of whom were subsequently convicted.

The Commander of the facility, Brig.-Gen. Yusuf Audu, disclosed this on Wednesday in a detailed briefing delivered by Capt. Obinwale, where he outlined the structure, operations and reforms of the multi-agency detention and investigation centre supporting counter-terrorism efforts in the North-East.

Audu said the facility, established as a unified interrogation and screening hub for suspects arrested during counter-insurgency operations, remains central to Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents.

He explained that all suspects processed through the centre undergo structured investigations, legal review, and eventual classification into prosecution, rehabilitation, or reintegration pathways, depending on findings.

“After investigation, a complex casework group reviews all reports and provides legal advice. Based on the outcome, detainees are categorised into three groups: prosecution, rehabilitation, and reintegration,” he said.

He disclosed that “recently, the centre moved over 500 suspects for trial, most of whom were convicted,” adding that the development reflects improved coordination among security and justice institutions handling terrorism cases.

Audu said the centre operates as a multi-agency platform comprising personnel from the Nigerian Army, Defence Intelligence Agency, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and Nigeria Immigration Service, alongside legal experts from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

According to him, the arrangement ensures a holistic approach to terrorism investigations and strengthens the integrity of prosecution processes.

He noted that suspects are received with preliminary investigation reports from frontline units, formally documented, and assigned to investigators drawn from various security agencies.

The commander said detainees are kept in segregated facilities, with special provisions for women and children, while minors accompanied by mothers are provided with basic education and care within the centre.

He added that medical support is a key component of the facility’s operations, with isolation and treatment available for detainees suffering from illnesses such as tuberculosis, in collaboration with humanitarian partners.

Audu said the centre maintains structured feeding arrangements, with three meals daily provided to detainees, supported by improved water supply systems, including a 40,000-litre solar-powered borehole constructed with support from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

He also disclosed that inmates are provided with clothing, toiletries, and hygiene materials upon admission, while periodic fumigation is carried out to maintain sanitation standards.

According to him, detainees also benefit from physical and psychological support programmes, including access to sports, indoor games, and supervised exercise periods aimed at improving mental and physical well-being.

Audu said the facility also operates a “restoration of family links” programme, through which detainees communicate with relatives with support from international humanitarian organisations, including the ICRC.

On legal processes, he explained that investigations are conducted under the Terrorism Prevention Act of 2011, as amended in 2013 and 2022, with judicial oversight through federal high court remand orders and adherence to human rights standards.

He noted that biometric data of all suspects is captured and stored in a national database to support intelligence gathering and future security operations.

The commander further highlighted collaboration with international partners, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), UNICEF, and other humanitarian agencies, which have supported infrastructure development, training, and detainee welfare programmes.

He said UNODC constructed an evidence storage facility, while IOM established a data management system to improve screening and classification of suspects.

Audu added that UNICEF has provided educational materials for juveniles, while the ICRC continues to support healthcare delivery and humanitarian interventions within the facility.

He said detainees are also engaged in skill acquisition programmes such as tailoring, farming, poultry, fish farming, cap making, and bakery operations, designed to equip them with vocational skills for reintegration.

According to him, the bakery project recently established within the centre was introduced to reduce operational costs and enhance vocational training opportunities.

“The idea is to keep detainees engaged productively while awaiting investigation outcomes,” he said.

He explained that officers posted to the centre are carefully selected based on professional backgrounds in psychology, criminology, sociology, and related fields to improve investigative efficiency.

Audu also noted that the facility has received commendations from local and international dignitaries, including former defence ministers, service chiefs, United Nations officials, and counter-terrorism experts who have visited the centre.

He said the centre’s operations align with global best practices, particularly the United Nations principle that “effective counter-terrorism measures and protection of human rights are mutually reinforcing.”

Despite the achievements, he acknowledged challenges, including difficulty in securing witnesses from affected communities due to insecurity and fear of reprisal, as well as delays in prosecution processes which often prolong detainees’ stay in custody.

Giwa detention facility completes 1,450 terrorism cases, moves 500 suspects for trial

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