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ZULUM: 238 Projects in 365 Days; Another Year of Remarkable Progress in Borno’s Project Landscape
ZULUM: 238 Projects in 365 Days; Another Year of Remarkable Progress in Borno’s Project Landscape
By Abdul Kareem
There is no doubt that Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state has set a new standard for leadership and progress in Nigeria. In just the past year, Governor Zulum has overseen a remarkable transformation in Borno, personally spearheading 238 projects across 13 sectors. These projects have left a lasting impact on the state, demonstrating a vision of lasting, sustainable, and community-focused development.
Building upon the success of 957 projects completed during his first term in office, Zulum, a Professor of Irrigation Engineering, has been able to lay a solid foundation for the fast and remarkable progress being witnessed in his second term.
From enhancing security measures to revolutionizing the education sector, Governor Zulum’s commitment to service delivery and good governance shines through in every initiative undertaken even as he continues to raise the bar of good governance in Nigeria.
Governor Zulum’s unwavering dedication to restoring normalcy in Borno State after years of insurgency has been commendable. Through strategic partnerships with security outfits and the provision of essential resources such as patrol vehicles and motorcycles, the administration has boosted the morale of troops and taken significant strides towards ending the insurgency that has plagued the state.
It is worth noting that under Governor Zulum’s leadership in the last one year, the Borno State Government has acquired an additional 94 new Hilux Patrol Vehicles and 62 Toyota Land Cruiser Samsara, supplementing the existing fleet of 1400 Patrol Vehicles earlier procured for the security in the state. This strategic procurement aims to bolster surveillance efforts and address the security challenges effectively. Additionally, the administration has also purchased 300 new motorcycles to support security patrol operations, particularly in hard-to-reach terrains.
In the education sector, Governor Zulum’s administration has embarked on a comprehensive revival plan, focusing on reconstructing schools destroyed by terrorists, establishing new mega-size schools, and recruiting thousands of teachers to ensure quality education for all. By introducing incentives to attract school-age enrolment and reducing the number of out-of-school children, Governor Zulum is paving the way for a brighter future for the youth of Borno State.
According to the commissioner of education, Abba Wakilbe, “Under the visionary leadership of Professor Babagana Zulum, the government has revolutionized the education sector by constructing 30 state-of-the-art mega schools with 60, 40, 30, and 20 classrooms each, equipped with laboratories, staff rooms, ICT centers, water and sports facilities, and solar power supply. Additionally, 16 new senior secondary schools have been established in Bulumkutu, 777, 1000 Housing Estates, Goidamgari, Soye in Bama, Gasi in Shani, Ngoshe in Gwoza, Malakaleri in Mafa, and Kwayabura in Hawul local government areas. Furthermore, five High Islamic colleges are under construction in Gajiram, Gajiganna, Baga, Gubio, and Damasak, while new junior and secondary schools have been founded in Malamkureri in MMC, Dikwa Gubio, Yerimari in Jere, and Girjan in Damboa. The establishment of two-story mega schools in Dala Lawanti, Bulakutiki, Dusuman Kaleri, Miringa, Uba, and Asking signifies a remarkable transformation in our education landscape.”
The education commissioner also added that “During the first year of Governor Zulum’s second term, 88 science laboratories were constructed and equipped in 22 secondary schools, and 4,000 additional teachers were hired for public secondary and primary schools across the state. In addition, the Zulum-led government in Borno State recruited education secretaries for the 27 local government education authorities (LGEAs), provided 13 Toyota vehicles and golf wagons to each education secretary for monitoring and supervision, increased salaries, and allocated monthly running costs.
To address the impact of the long-standing Boko Haram insurgency on school enrollment, the Borno State government implemented various incentives to attract displaced school-age children, including free uniforms, instructional materials, bicycles, and a daily meal. This initiative significantly reduced the number of out-of-school children from over 2 million to less than 700,000, with ongoing efforts to further decrease this number.
Zarah Mohammed, a young caregiver who coordinates out of school IDP children in Bama for evening lessons for basic alphabetical and numeric knowledge, hails Governor Zulum’s free education initiative.
“May God bless our Governor, Professor Zulum, for taking the burden off my neck – now all my little boys and girls, about 32 of them, are now enrolled in conventional schools and they are doing well, ” she said with excitement. “Their poor parent never worry about the cost of their education because it is free. I am going to sustain advocacy in supply of the government to ensure that parents enroll their kids in schools.”
““Furthermore, the Borno State government awarded scholarships totaling 5,580,441,012 naira to 29,325 undergraduate and postgraduate students from Borno State studying both locally and abroad. Additionally, the government covered tuition fees and provided monthly allowances amounting to 1,561,527,600 naira to 997 students at the College of Nursing and Midwifery, Dr Wakilbe said.”
The health sector has also seen significant improvements under Governor Zulum’s leadership, with the construction of primary healthcare centers, procurement of medical equipment, and provision of essential drugs across the state. The administration’s commitment to providing accessible and affordable healthcare services underscores its dedication to the well-being of all citizens.
“In Mafa, 20 primary health centers have been equipped with solar power systems to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services with a steady supply of drugs and consumables,” the Commissioner for Health, Professor Baba M Ghana.
“The Brigadier Abba Kyari Hospital in Ngaranam is currently undergoing renovations to enhance healthcare services. The government has procured medical equipment worth billions of naira and distributed them to health facilities across the state. Solar power systems have been installed in primary health centers in Ngurosoye, Andari, and Gwoza as part of the administration’s commitment to fulfilling campaign promises.
“The government is constructing a College of Nursing in Gwoza and Monguno, along with Eye and Dental Hospitals in Monguno and Biu. General Hospital Biu is being upgraded to a specialist hospital, while General Hospitals in Damboa and Gajiram are undergoing complete reconstruction. The administration aims to establish at least one primary health center in each of the 312 electoral wards in Borno State as part of its post-insurgency recovery agenda,” the commissioner added
Governor Zulum’s visionary approach extends beyond infrastructure development to include initiatives aimed at fostering entrepreneurship, creating job opportunities, and building resilience within the community. Through the establishment of vocational and entrepreneurial institutes and ICT centers, the administration is equipping young people with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
Four vocational entrepreneurial institutes have been established with the aim of training youth in entrepreneurship and apprenticeship. The goal is to equip them with skills and trades that will improve their socio-economic well-being, make them productive in the future, and steer them away from political unrest and other forms of idleness. These institutes offer training in 14 different trades and apprenticeships, including welding, carpentry, solar light fabrication, cosmetology, tailoring, knitting, computer application and repairs, and automobile maintenance, among others.
Additionally, the Zulum-led government has constructed, equipped, furnished, and commissioned four new ICT centers in Gubio Town, each with 100 computer units. These centers aim to train youth in literacy and numeracy as part of the government’s digital initiative. Furthermore, four other ICT centers located in Mafa, Damboa, and Bayo I have been completed and are awaiting commissioning.
During the first year of governance in the second term, the Vocational Enterprise Institute in Muna graduated 832 orphans. The institute provided them with starter packs and cash to help them start a new self-reliant life. Moreover, 64 of the best graduates were offered automatic employment.
Governor Zulum’s achievements over the last year are not just a collection of projects and programs; they are a testament to his unwavering dedication to the people of Borno State and a shining example of what can be accomplished through visionary leadership and relentless determination. In the face of adversity, Governor Zulum continues to inspire and uplift, leading the way towards a future of prosperity and opportunity for all in Borno State.
To end this article, one must acknowledge that Governor Zulum’s standout quality, evident in his first four years and continuing into his second term, is his exceptional loyalty, dedication to vision, focus, and goals. Over the past five years, he has completed a total of 1195 projects, averaging 239 projects per year. Remarkably, in his fifth year, he precisely delivered 238 projects, showcasing his deliberate and strategic planning skills. This consistent achievement is a signature of Governor Zulum’s intentional and effective governance approach.
ZULUM: 238 Projects in 365 Days; Another Year of Remarkable Progress in Borno’s Project Landscape
Proposed Aba State, the Most Economically Viable Among Contending State Requests- Group
By: Michael Mike
Proposed Aba State has the potential of becoming the most economically viable among all state creation proposals currently under consideration, a group of indigenes from the area have said.
The agitators, in a statement on Tuesday by the Chairman and Secretary, Aba State Movement, HRH Eze Love Wogu and Chief Godfrey Akara, respectively, said the creation of Aba State is deep rooted, and not a recent or politically motivated demand, but a century-long pursuit rooted in a distinct identity.
They pointed out that if not for the 1983 coup, Aba state would have come to reality by now.
They noted that other states proposed at the same time had been created.
They said: “This isn’t simply a demand; it’s a promise that has been repeatedly made and validated but never kept.”
They added that: “The movement’s unwavering dedication is evidenced by its submissions to every state creation committee and national conference since 1988, demonstrating a resilience that has outlasted numerous governments and generations.
“Throughout Nigeria’s complex history of state creation, the quest for Aba State stands out as a persistent and enduring endeavor.
“The journey began in 1915 when the British colonial government administratively united the Asa, Ndoki, and Ngwa people into the Aba Division.
“The formal political pursuit of autonomy began just over a decade later, in 1927. This long struggle reached a critical milestone in 1983 when the National Assembly, under a democratic government, approved a referendum for the creation of Aba State.
“However, that referendum was never realized due to the military coup of December 31, 1983. Ironically, every other state recommended for creation alongside Aba in 1983—Adamawa, Jigawa, Katsina, Kogi, Taraba, and Enugu—has since been established, leaving Aba as the only unfulfilled recommendation.”
They also said: “Beyond historical claims, a compelling economic case exists for Aba State. Advocates argue that the proposed state would not only be sustainable from its inception but would also quickly become a significant financial powerhouse.
“The region is already the commercial and industrial heart of the South East. Aba metropolis, home to the renowned Ariaria International Market, is a major hub for leather goods, footwear, and engineering fabrications, serving markets across West and Central Africa.
“This economic strength is further bolstered by vast resources, including approximately 124 operational oil wells and some of Nigeria’s highest-quality gas reserves in Ukwa West.
“Furthermore, the proposed state has the unique advantage of self-sufficient electricity generation, thanks to the Geometric Power Plant in Osisioma Ngwa, which promises to trigger a significant industrial revolution.
“A 1998 Federal Government survey revealed that the nine Local Government Areas comprising the proposed Aba State contributed the largest portion of Abia State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).”
Proposed Aba State, the Most Economically Viable Among Contending State Requests- Group
News
NTAC DG Highlights Benefits of Physical Fitness as Agency Makes Once-in-a-Week Fitness Walk Mandatory for All Staff
NTAC DG Highlights Benefits of Physical Fitness as Agency Makes Once-in-a-Week Fitness Walk Mandatory for All Staff
By: Michael Mike
Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub has highlighted physical exercise as a necessity for fitness and mental alertness for all workers in the public service space.
He said such physical fitness and mental alertness were necessary for the kind of energy and focus required not only to drive service-delivery, but also make for enhanced productivity amongst workers.
The NTAC boss, who led some members of the NTAC Management for a 45-minute walk at the popular Jabi Lake Sports Field opposite the NTAC Complex in Abuja, reiterated the connection between physical fitness and enhanced productivity and hinted that a day would be set aside for all staff of NTAC to engage in such activity.
He said: “We all know the importance of physical fitness to our work as public servants. If we refuse to engage the body to make it active, even our brain fails to work optimally .
“Oftentimes, our routine, from home to office and from office to home, hardly allows us to engage in even simple walking for the length of time our bodies require to stay in optimum health and fitness.
“Today’s novel Walk is merely to encourage us to tone up our muscles daily,to avoid the killer situation called sedentary lifestyle, keep ourselves fit and be able to drive more actively the requirements of Mr.President’s Renewed Hope Agenda here in NTAC. We will surely find a way to incorporate this in the activities and programmes of the Corps.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps has set aside the end of work every Wednesday for a physical fitness walk for all staff of the Agency who are not encumbered by any form of incapacitation or underlying illness.
In an Internal Circular signed by Amb.Saidu Muhammad and circulated to all NTAC staff, Monday at the NTAC Complex in Abuja, the Deputy Director in-charge of Administration at the Agency informed members of staff of a walking exercise with the Agency’s Director General at the end of work on Wednesday, November 12, adding that the mandatory walking exercise would take place at the Jabi Lake Sports Field opposite the NTAC NTAC DG Highlights Benefits of Physical Fitness as Agency Makes Once-in-a-Week Fitness Walk Mandatory for All Staff
Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps,Rt.Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub has highlighted physical exercise as a necessity for fitness and mental alertness for all workers in the public service space.
He said such physical fitness and mental alertness were necessary for the kind of energy and focus required not only to drive service-delivery,but also make for enhanced productivity amongst workers.
The NTAC boss,who stated the above over the weekend when he led some members of the NTAC Management for a 45-minute walk at the popular Jabi Lake Sports Field opposite the NTAC Complex in Abuja, reiterated the connection between physical fitness and enhanced productivity and hinted that a day would be set aside for all staff of NTAC to engage in such activity.
“We all know the importance of physical fitness to our work as public servants.If we refuse to engage the body to make it active,even our brain fails to work optimally .
“Oftentimes,our routine, from home to office and from office to home,hardly allows us to engage in even simple walking for the length of time our bodies require to stay in optimum health and fitness.
“Today’s novel Walk is merely to encourage us to tone up our muscles daily,to avoid the killer situation called sedentary lifestyle, keep ourselves fit and be able to drive more actively the requirements of Mr.President’s Renewed Hope Agenda here in NTAC. We will surely find a way to incorporate this in the activities and programmes of the Corps.”
Meanwhile ,the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps has set aside the end of work every Wednesday for a physical fitness walk for all staff of the Agency who are not encumbered by any form of incapacitation or underlying illness.
In an Internal Circular signed by Amb.Saidu D.Muhammad and circulated to all NTAC staff,Monday,at the NTAC Complex in Abuja,the Deputy Director in-charge of Administration at the Agency informed members of staff of a walking exercise with the Agency’s Director General at the end of work on Wednesday,November 12, adding that the mandatory walking exercise would take place at the Jabi Lake Sports Field opposite the NTAC Complex.
NTAC DG Highlights Benefits of Physical Fitness as Agency Makes Once-in-a-Week Fitness Walk Mandatory for All Staff
FG, UNICEF commend Gombe’s efforts to eliminate NTDs
The Federal Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Bauchi Field Office have commended Gombe State’s efforts to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
They gave the commendation on Tuesday in Gombe during a media dialogue on NTDs elimination organised to assess progress in the state.
Hajiya Hawau Abubakar, North-East Zonal Coordinator for NTDs, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, said “significant progress” had been made towards ending NTDs in Gombe.
Abubakar said the state’s commitment, supported by the Federal Government and development partners, was enhancing the health and wellbeing of the people across Gombe State.
She stressed that achieving NTD-free status would positively impact the wellbeing of residents, especially children, and improve the economic fortunes of the state.
Abubakar urged the government, media, and stakeholders to sustain the momentum, expressing optimism that the state could be free of NTDs before 2030.
Dr Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Bauchi, also praised Gombe State for the progress made so far in eliminating NTDs across communities.
Rafique said the state’s commitment to providing counterpart funding for NTD elimination activities was already yielding positive results in several localities.
She explained that Gombe State was close to the “breakpoint” where widespread preventive treatment could halt further circulation of the diseases within communities.
According to her, achieving that stage would mark a major success in the fight against NTDs in the state and across the region.
“The progress so far is encouraging, but we must continue investing resources wisely to eliminate NTDs and protect children and women,” she said.
Rafique, however, said more effort was required to completely eliminate the diseases due to their severe impact on children and society.
She called for an integrated approach, using community-based mobilisation to promote hygiene, sanitation, and access to clean water in the state.
She also urged residents to prevent infection by avoiding contact with flies and mosquitoes that spread the diseases.
Commending the media’s role, Rafique described journalists as “the main game changers” in raising awareness and driving positive behavioural change.
Dr Musa Abdullahi, Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, said most local governments were now NTD-free.
Abdullahi said all LGAs, except Akko and Kwami, had been declared free of NTDs, thanks to the collaboration with the Federal Government, UNICEF, and other partners.
He commended the continued partnership, noting that it had significantly improved the health and wellbeing of Gombe residents.
FG, UNICEF commend Gombe’s efforts to eliminate NTDs
UNODC Heralds Stakeholders for Assistance to Victims of Revenge Porn
Proposed Aba State, the Most Economically Viable Among Contending State Requests- Group
NTAC DG Highlights Benefits of Physical Fitness as Agency Makes Once-in-a-Week Fitness Walk Mandatory for All Staff
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