Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) by rehabilitating and expanding the permanent orientation camp in the state.

Governor Zulum gave the pledge while receiving the Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed and his management team during a courtesy visit at the Government House in Maiduguri on Friday.

 

The Borno NYSC Orientation Camp resumed in 2023 after a 12-year suspension due to the Boko Haram insurgency, and the camp is currently holding at the Umar Mustapha Elkanemi Arabic School as a temporary site.

 

Governor Zulum assured that the state government would increase its support to the scheme and fast-track the construction of a permanent site to accommodate more corps members.

 

“The Deputy Chief of Staff and Chairman of NYSC governing board, let’s see how we commence the construction of the permanent site and expand accommodation. Currently, the scheme is operating within a school and soon the school management may need the space back. The earlier we start, the better,” Governor Zulum stated.

 

The governor commended the invaluable contributions of medical corps members in the state and emphasised the need for graduates in science-related fields, including physics, Mathematics and English to help strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in secondary schools.

 

He also expressed gratitude to the NYSC leadership for facilitating the return of the orientation camp to Borno State, noting that this has significantly reduced the hardship faced by corps members who previously had to travel to other states for their orientation.

 

The Director General of NYSC said his visit was aimed at assessing the welfare and orientation camp facilities for corps members in Borno and other North-East states.

 

He lauded the Borno State Government for its unwavering support of the scheme.

 

“I must say that corps members are in good hands. The support they are receiving in Borno has been tremendous. This visit is an opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to His Excellency for his immense contributions, including the special allowances for medical and other corps members, regular feeding augmentation, and the provision of Hilux vehicles to the state coordination office,” Brig.-Gen. Ahmed stated.

 

He urged corps members to reciprocate the state government’s continuous support by remaining in Borno and contribute to the development of the state.

 

NYSC State Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Jiya informed the Governor that a total of 991 corps members from 2024 Batch C Stream 2 are currently undergoing orientation in the state.

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, on Wednesday, commended President Bola Tinubu for approving N80 billion for the reconstruction and upgrade of Alau Dam.

Alau Dam collapsed on September 10, 2024, triggering a devastating flooding of Maiduguri metropolis and parts of Jere local government areas of Borno State, affecting more than one million people and the destruction of many properties.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dauda Iliya, in a statement on Wednesday said Governor Zulum described President Tinubu’s approval as exhilarating.

 

Zulum expressed gladness by the uncommon expression of leadership and good governance by President Tinubu over the approval of what he called ‘monumental amount’ to reconstruct and upgrade the dam.

 

“I regard this decision to reconstruct the dam as the most gladdening tiding, not only for the millions of farmers and fishermen and the innumerable other people conducting various economic activities in and around the dam, but to the state government that is striving to resuscitate and reposition agricultural production as the most critical economic activity for the rebuilding and stabilisation of our society devastated by Boko Haram insurgency,” Governor Zulu reiterated.

 

The governor expressed confidence that the reconstruction of the dam will effectively forestall the occurrence of flooding that may aggravate the vulnerability of a population devastated by insurgency.

 

He described the decision as the President’s expression of irrevocable commitment to rebirthing Nigeria for rapid prosperity in all aspects of its life according to the emerging imperatives with the Renewed Hope Agenda as potent tool.

 

Zulum recalled the president’s personal sympathy visit to Maiduguri during the disaster and the quantum of support via food and non-food items provided, which greatly alleviated the suffering of the affected victims.

 

He conveyed the heartfelt gratitude of the government and entire people of Borno State for the rare show of carrying all sections of the country along in terms of the distribution of critical projects and programmes.

 

The governor further assured the president of the continued support of the state and its people for his people-oriented and national development policies, programmes as well as projects to renew the hope of Nigerians for rapid growth and sustainable prosperity.

Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, has commended the Chadian president, Idris Derby, for his swift response to the recent terrorists’ attack on the Presidential Palace Complex in Chad.

The attack carried out by terrorists on Wednesday, January 8, was foiled by the Chadian Armed Forces, and President Derby was unharmed.

In a statement by the commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof Usman Tar, Gov Zulum expressed his relief and admiration for the Chadian president’s effective handling of the situation.

READ ALSO: 19 Killed As Terrorists Attack Chad Presidential Palace

“It gladdens my heart to note that President Derby was unharmed and the violent attack on the Presidential Palace was foiled with the speed of light,” he said.

He emphasised the importance of Chad’s peace and security to Borno State.

“The peace and security of Chad is crucial for our fragile peace in Borno, due to our contingent boundary with Chad,” the governor added.

Zulum also acknowledged the generosity of the Chadian government towards Nigerian refugees.

“We are indebted to President Derby and his government for all they have done to grant a safe haven for our people in accordance with the Kampala Convention,” he said.

According to him, since 2014, thousands of Borno citizens have been granted refugee status in Bagasola, Chad, and have been treated with dignity and honour.

Governor Zulum reaffirmed the support of the people of Borno for President Derby and his government.

“The people of Borno pray for the peace, unity and prosperity of our neighbours in Chad. We shall continue to pray for the peace, safety, unity and prosperity of Chad under the distinguished leadership of President Derby,” he assured.

Meanwhile, the Inspector General Of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, on Friday ordered actions against attackers of the Nganzai Divisional Police headquarters in Borno State.

It could be recalled that a Thursday attack by Boko Haram terrorists left two police officers dead and one other officer critically injured, as the insurgents exchanged fire with police on duty at the station, before they were eventually overpowered and repelled with the assistance of the Civilian Joint Task Force stationed near the police station.

Responding to the incident which occurred at about 12:10am on Thursday, a statement by the force public relations officer, ACP Olumiyiwa Adejobi, identified the dead two police officers as Inspector Bartholomew Kalawa and Corporal Mustapha Huzaifat.

Adejobi said, Egbetokun condemned the act and ordered an immediate and thorough crackdown on the perpetrators, saying that no cop-killer would go unpunished.

The IGP also expressed deep condolences to the families of the deceased officers, affirming that their sacrifice in the line of duty would not be forgotten.

Egbetokun assured the families that the benefits and entitlements of the fallen officers would be paid immediately.

“The IGP has therefore directed the Zone 15 Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, to mobilise adequate resources and personnel, collaborate with other security agencies to ensure the perpetrators of this nefarious act are found and caused to face the full wrath of the law.

“As investigations continue, the IGP reaffirms the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to holding accountable those who jeopardise and disrupt the security arrangement and safety in Nigeria,” the statement added.

 

 

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has condemned the recent attack on the Sabongari community in Damboa Local Government Area of the state.

This was contained in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, issued on Thursday in Maiduguri.

The governor described the attack as a desperate attempt to destabilise the state’s ongoing progress and extended condolences to the Armed Forces and families of the soldiers who lost their lives in the incident.

“On behalf of the government and people of Borno, I convey our deepest condolences to the armed forces and the families of the deceased and wounded soldiers. May Allah rest their souls and grant fortitude to their loved ones,” the statement quoted Zulum as saying.

He commended the troops stationed in Damboa for their gallantry, noting that despite the attack, they successfully defended their position and prevented further damage.

Zulum reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to working closely with the military to ensure sustainable peace and development in the state.

“The enemies of our people are eager to challenge our collective will and reverse the gains we have made in resettling communities and restoring livelihoods, particularly in the agricultural sector. But I want to assure the armed forces and the people of Borno that together we shall achieve lasting peace,” Tar quoted Zulum as saying.

The governor lauded the resilience of residents in the affected community, urging them to continue supporting the military in their efforts to secure the state.

He also praised the professionalism of the military and assured them of the government’s unwavering support in the fight against insurgency.

Zulum reiterated his administration’s resolve to implement developmental programmes that promote peaceful coexistence at all levels.
The governor described the attack as an isolated incident and insisted it would not deter ongoing efforts to secure all parts of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that gunmen attacked Sabongari in Damboa LGA on 4 January, killing six soldiers and damaging some military equipment. However, troops neutralised many of the attackers, with some escaping with injuries.

NAN

The Borno State Governor, Babangida Zulum, yesterday called on the country’s faith-based universities to produce graduates trained in spirituality and morality.

He said this is necessary to bail Nigeria out of its current moral decadence of corruption and social vices.

Zulum called while delivering the 20th anniversary lecture of the pioneer Islamic faith-based university in Nigeria, the Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State.

He spoke on the theme, ” Two decades of excellence: Al-Hikmah University’s impact on scholarship and educational development in Nigeria.

The governor urged Nigerian youths to imbibe the culture of humility and hard work.

Zulum, who said he was the son of a peasant farmer and a commercial driver who was plying Maiduguri-Okene-Ibadan roads, advised youths to imbibe the culture of respect for parents, sacrifice for humanity and love for hard work.

The governor also said that shortcuts to anything usually end in regret and disaster, adding that “hard work is good, but humility takes you far in life”.

“Hard work is one thing. But humility is the best. When I finished my master’s, I went to my village to go to the farm with my parents. I could have remained in Maiduguri wearing barbarian, but because I have to be obedient to my parents, that is why I am what I am today”, he said.

In his address at the university’s 20th-anniversary dinner/award night, the vice-chancellor, Professor Noah Yusuf, said that the most pressing challenge of the university is inadequate funds.

Yusuf also said that the spiral effect of the funding challenge is the university’s inability to meet some critical needs.

He appealed for support from friends of the university in the construction of hostels to be endowed after the donor’s name, construction of Faculty building, joint construction of classrooms and offices, scholarship grants to indigent students and research funding for academic staff of the university.

Also speaking, the former governor of Katsina State, Alhaji  Aminu Masari, described the founder of Al-Hikmah University, Dr. AbdulRaheem Oladimeji, as a great contributor to quality education in Nigeria.

Masari said Oladimeji has meaningfully impacted Nigerian youths’ lives through his education investment.

 

 

Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, has announced that the state government will subsidise the cost of petrol to farmers in communities affected by Boko Haram insurgency.

Zulum announced the subsidy on Friday evening in Bama town when he flagged off the distribution of farm inputs to over 5,000 farmers hitherto displaced by Boko Haram insurgents.

According to the governor, a litre of petrol sold between N1,000 and N1,200 in Maiduguri will be subsidised to the farmers at N600 per litre.

He said the gesture was aimed at alleviating the financial burdens faced by farmers in communities that have suffered economic and infrastructural destruction due to years of violence.

Zulum emphasised that a similar initiative implemented in Damasak, Mobar local government area last year has significantly increased food production and improved livelihoods.

“One of the major challenges that are facing the farming communities here as regards irrigation farming is the increasing cost of fuel. As a result, I want to announce to the general public that government will procure petroleum products and sell to the farmers at a subsided rate, a litre of petrol is being sold in Maiduguri at the cost of about N1,200 but in’shAllah, henceforth for irrigation farmers this season a litre of petrol will be sold at the rate of N600,” Zulum said.

The governor also said, “The Commissioner for Agriculture will work with the Brigade Commander to ensure the delivery of the petroleum products to farmers in Bama town as soon as possible.”

In addition to the petrol subsidy, Zulum distributed farm inputs, including 2,000 bags of blended NPK fertiliser, 1,000 units of water pumps, and 620 units of gasoline pumps.

Other materials includeD 380 units of solar water pumps, 1,000 units of sprayers, 800 rolls of 2-inch flexible hose, and 1,000 litres of pesticides and seeds, among other items.

According to him, his administration has constructed over 100 tube wells for use by irrigation farmers while also announcing the approval for the construction of an additional 250.

Meanwhile, Governor Zulum has also visited Darajama and Goniri villages under Bama local government area to assess the ongoing reconstruction work.

Zulum expressed satisfaction with the quality of the project but also reiterated that his administration will not allow anyone to sabotage its resettlement drive.

The governor expressed gratitude to the federal government for the tremendous support for his administration’s reconstruction and resettlement of communities affected by insurgency.