Dauda Iliya

2027: Zulum launches Borno APC campaign Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, officially launched the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign for the 2027 general elections on Monday, drawing an unprecedented crowd from all parts of the state. The event, held at the Sports Centre in Maiduguri, drew a groundswell of support from multiple supporters across the state in solidarity with Zulum's transformational leadership and the APC's progressive agenda. Several stakeholders attended, including former Governor Maina Ma’aji Lawan and Ali Modu Sherriff, APC Deputy National Chairman Ali Bukar Dalori, and Senators for Borno North, South, and Central Senatorial Districts. In his address, Governor Zulum expressed gratitude to the people of Borno for their steadfast support, noting that the APC-led administration has delivered unprecedented dividends of democracy despite the state's security challenges. He urged them to continue supporting APC candidates in the 2027 general election, starting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly APC candidates, Borno Gubernatorial candidate Engr Mustapha Gubio, and all the APC state Assembly candidates. Other dignitaries present included members of the House of Representatives, former Senators, Party Executives, and many senior critical stakeholders. The women's delegation was led by the First Lady of Borno, Dr Falmata Babagana Umara Zulum, who was accompanied by the wife of the Deputy Governor, wife of APC gubernatorial candidate and that of his deputy among others.

Go to Your Polling Unit,’ Zulum Tells Borno APC as He Inaugurates 2027 Campaign Council @BornoGovt State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has charged members of the Borno State All Progressives Congress (@OfficialAPCNg ) Campaign Council to take the 2027 campaign to their wards and polling units, and engage with local party structures to ensure high voter turnout. Governor @ProfZulum , who is also the Chairman of the Campaign Council, gave the charge on Sunday while inaugurating the 2027 Campaign Council at the Multipurpose Hall of Government House, Maiduguri. He said the party must earn voters’ renewed confidence through service, persuasion and effective organisation, cautioning members against relying on past victories. “Every member of this Campaign Council must take personal responsibility. Go to your local government area. Go to your ward. Go to your polling unit. Meet the people, listen to them and work with the party structures on the ground,” Zulum said. The governor asked council members to involve women and young people in the campaign, engage party elders and submit regular reports on their activities. He also urged them to conduct themselves peacefully and within the law, and to help supporters understand the voting process. Governor Zulum appealed to members who missed out in the party primaries to remain committed and work together for the party's victory at all levels, urging those who succeeded to reach out to them and address their grievances. He warned that conduct undermining APC candidates or the party’s collective interests would face consequences as contained in the party’s constitution. “Our responsibility is to explain this record honestly to the electorate, listen carefully to their concerns and earn their renewed confidence,” the governor said. The governor emphasised the need for Borno to deliver more votes as the home state of Vice President Senator Kashim @officialSKSM , and to reciprocate President Bola @officialABAT 's support for establishing the Federal College of Education in Gwoza, the Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship in Bama, and the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Azare. Zulum expressed confidence that Engr. Mustapha Gubio would succeed him and build on his administration’s work, urging the electorate to vote for APC from the Presidency to the state assembly level. In their separate goodwill messages, former governor, Senator Maina Ma’aji Lawan, APC Deputy National Chairman North, Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori, Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Hon. Mukhtar Betara, Speaker of the State Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan and APC State Chairman, Hon. Bello Ayuba, all stressed the need for unity among members of the campaign organisation, to embark on a house-to-house campaign, mobilise volume of votes and deliver APC candidates at all levels. In his vote of thanks, Borno State Deputy Governor, Hon. Umar Usman Kadafur, who is also the Vice Chairman I of the Council, assured them he would deliver on the mandate given to him. He reiterated that the campaign will be issue-based and will mobilise every unit, ward, and local government to take the party to victory.

Zulum Assures Befitting NSE Conference …Approves Enhanced Entry-Level for Engineers Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has assured that Borno State will organise the best and most befitting 2026 National Conference of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), scheduled to begin on 1st December in Maiduguri. Zulum made the pledge when he received the NSE President, Engr Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, and his delegation at the Council Chamber of Government House, Maiduguri. The governor said the state government had constructed the Maiduguri International Conference Centre as part of its preparations to host the event and assured the delegation that the venue would be ready in time. “The conference will, inshallah, be one of the best held in Nigeria,” he said. Speaking on the conference theme, "engineering, innovation for enhanced security, and sustainable national development", Governor Zulum said it was particularly relevant to Borno after nearly two decades of security challenges. He expressed hope that the conference would generate practical engineering solutions to help address insecurity in the state and the country as a whole. The Governor directed his Chief of Staff to meet with the chairman and members of the Local Organising Committee to identify their needs. “I want to assure you that buses and financial support will be provided for the Society”, noting that the Spouses’ Forum would receive the support promised by the governor’s wife. The governor said Borno had adopted the enhanced entry grade for engineers approved by the National Council on Establishments at its March 2018 meeting in Owerri. “Henceforth, the entry point for engineers into public service in Borno State will be grade level 9,” he said, adding that engineers would advance to Grade Level 10 after two years under the approved framework. Zulum said his administration had given preference to local engineers on major infrastructure projects. He commended the team of indigenous engineers for constructing the conference centre, the state teaching hospital recently inaugurated by the Vice President, roads, and other projects across the state. The Governor also highlighted investments in road maintenance, including acquiring 100 trucks and installing a state-owned quarry plant with a capacity of 120 tonnes per hour. He added that the state had four asphalt plants and that local engineers had handled many of its road projects. President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, lauded Governor Zulum’s administration for improving infrastructure, strengthening public institutions, and advancing socio-economic development, despite the many challenges confronting the Northeast region. He informed the Governor that over 6000 delegates, including engineers and other stakeholders from across the country, as well as international delegates from sister engineering organisations across Africa, are expected to attend.

This week, I joined Jesse Tafida on TVC’s Borno Restoration to discuss how Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s policies and programmes are shaping Borno’s future. We talked about what that means for the people of Borno, from rebuilding communities and strengthening public institutions to delivering projects that improve everyday life. #BornoRestoration #ZulumIsWorking youtu.be/r8iwjRb_EK0?si=gXQE…

Zulum Appoints Ali Baware Pioneer DG of Rural Access Road Authority Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the appointment of Engr. Ali Abubakar Baware as the pioneer Director-General of the Borno State Rural Access Road Authority (RARA). The Authority, which came into effect on 14th July 2026, is saddled with the responsibility of managing, developing, reconstructing, rehabilitating and maintaining Class D roads across the state, including ancillary infrastructure such as bridges and drainage. In a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dauda Iliya, Engr. Baware was the immediate past Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Housing. A seasoned engineer and administrator, Engr. Baware has held several administrative positions and is a member of professional bodies, including the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Nigerian Institute of Civil Engineers. The appointment is for a period of four years in the first instance. Governor Zulum congratulated the Director-General on his appointment and charged him to deploy his wealth of experience and expertise to make the new agency functional.

UN, EU, Others Lead Partners to Drive Investors to Borno …Zulum Pledges Business-Friendly Reforms for Investors The @UN_Nigeria Nations, @EUinNigeria Union, @German Government and other development partners are supporting efforts to attract private investors to Borno State to create jobs and help displaced families rebuild their livelihoods. Speaking at the third Borno State Private Sector Engagement and Investment Roundtable on Thursday in Abuja, representatives of the United Nations, the EU, and the German Embassy pledged continued support for the state’s recovery through investment. Governor @Zulum’s administration began the initiative with a roundtable in Lagos, focusing on financing bankable projects and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, followed by a second in Kano centred on agriculture, livestock, fisheries and infrastructure. Over 50 prospective investors attended the Abuja roundtable. Representative of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Nigeria, Thembekile Dube-Nanbe, encouraged partners to turn the Borno investment roundtable into action. “Let us identify viable investment opportunities, mobilise capital, establish lasting partnerships, and commit to measurable results,” Dube- Nanbe said. The EU Head of Human Development, Laila Ben Amor Mathieu, said the Union had stood with @BornoGovt through its most difficult years, providing humanitarian assistance and supporting stabilisation and recovery. “Grants and public budgets alone will not finance recovery at the scale Borno needs. Private capital must play its part, and the role of us partners is to make that possible,” Mathieu said. She explained that investors could support the proposed Borno State Durable Solutions Trust Fund or pursue commercially viable projects backed by incentives, including access to land, industrial hubs and tax measures. Mathieu urged businesses to select projects for closer review, partner with local companies and create opportunities for women and young people. “Borno is becoming an investment story. The European Union is proud to be part of it,” she said. The Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy, Dr Karen Jansen, commended Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for restoring communities, rebuilding infrastructure and public services, and opening the state’s economy to investors. She encouraged investors to sustain their commitments as the economy grows, assuring the state of Germany’s continued support. “Mobilising private sector investment, including through blended finance, will be essential to complement development cooperation and support Borno’s sustainable reconstruction,” Jansen said. …Zulum Pledges Business-Friendly Reforms for Investors Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has urged private investors to take advantage of business opportunities in the state, assuring them of government support and simpler administrative procedures. @Zulum represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, Zulum said improvements in security and ongoing reforms were helping Borno move from emergency humanitarian assistance towards economic recovery. He invited businesses to invest in commercial farming, livestock production, fisheries and manufacturing, while encouraging financial institutions to expand credit for small enterprises. “Government’s role is to build the foundation, establish the security, and create the regulatory framework. But the private sector is the ultimate engine of wealth creation, job opportunities, and lasting prosperity,” Zulum said. He said the Borno State Investment Promotion Agency was simplifying procedures for investors, supported by land administration reforms, fiscal incentives and public-private partnership frameworks aimed at protecting investments.

Zulum to Investors: Borno Safe, Stable and Ready for Investment …40 Prospective Investors Attend Kano Roundtable Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has declared Borno safe, stable, and ready for investment, urging businesses to seize opportunities in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, housing, and infrastructure. The governor gave the assurance on Monday during the second private sector engagement and investment roundtable at Tahir Guests Place in Kano. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, the roundtable, themed “Mobilising Private Capital for Durable Solutions and Sustainable Development”, drew about 40 potential investors from different sectors. Supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the European Union, and the German Government, the engagement comes three weeks after the Lagos roundtable, where Borno secured nine investment commitments. Governor Zulum told private-sector players that the state was shifting from humanitarian relief to economic recovery, with private investment needed to create jobs and help families rebuild their livelihoods. “Presently, Borno is safe, stable and open for business. Borno sits at the nexus of the Lake Chad Basin, serving as a natural trade corridor linking Nigeria to Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic,” Zulum said. He credited the armed forces and other security agencies, including the volunteer forces, with the security gains and said Borno’s location offered businesses access to an underserved regional market with strong demand for goods and services. The governor identified the state’s vast arable land, livestock potential and solid mineral deposits as opportunities awaiting investment. “Government creates the enabling environment, but the private sector creates wealth, jobs and lasting prosperity,” he said. Zulum explained that his administration was investing in skills and human capital under Borno’s 25-year development plan. He said the state’s vocational training centres had produced more than 3,000 graduates, while training in the health sector was also receiving attention. The governor assured prospective investors that his administration would honour its commitments and support transparent public-private partnerships, particularly in housing, agriculture and other productive sectors. “We are not here to ask for charity. We are here to present bankable, high-yield and direct investment opportunities for you. Borno is ready. Borno is bankable. We invite you to partner with a government that honours its word,” he added. Zulum said incentives available to investors included streamlined land acquisition, infrastructure support, industrial clusters and a supportive tax framework. Chief Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development, Partnerships and Humanitarian Response, Dr Mairo Mandara said Borno is a gateway into a regional economic system of more than 50 million people. “Borno has moved from emergency to recovery. The task now is to convert recovery into an economy,” Mandara said. Participants would also receive briefings on the state’s industrial park, inland dry port and bonded terminal, alongside details of the ease of doing business framework. The roundabout was attended by the Chairman, House Committee on Trade, Tourism and Investment, Hon. Baba Shehu Gulumba, and the Chairman, Committee on Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Resettlement, Hon. Baba Mala Sunoma; Commissioners of Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar; Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, Arc. Isa Garba Halidu; Works and Housing, Engr. Adam Bukar Bababe; Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Hon. Sugun Mai Mele; Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Maina Yaumi; Special Advisers; Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Agencies and other government officials.

Radio Nigeria Spotlight on Yerwa Central Primary and Junior Secondary School, Maiduguri, marking a new chapter in Borno’s educational development. The project, delivered by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s administration, was recently inaugurated by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima. The Spotlight was written by Dauda Iliya, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media.

Kashim Ibrahim University Teaching Hospital is a first-of-its-kind facility in Northeast Nigeria. It was established by Professor Babagana Umara Zulum. The 400-bed teaching hospital is designed to provide cutting-edge healthcare services comparable to those of any hospital worldwide. The hospital is a comprehensive healthcare and training institution that features 13 departments, including diagnostic, medical, surgical, physiotherapy, emergency, and pediatric among others. It also has a medical college complex, a students’ hostel, an oxygen plant complex and a 200-unit staff estate. The facility has modern diagnostic equipment, including a sophisticated 1.5-tesla MRI scanner, a 160-slice CT scanner, three conventional and two mobile X-ray machines, three 4D ultrasound machines, a fluoroscopy system for real-time imaging, and a digital mammography machine. This is a legacy project delived by Professor Babagana Umara Zulum in Borno State This is brought to you by the office of the Senior Technical Assistant on Print and Digital Communications to Governor Zulum of Borno #ZulumIsWorking #ZulumProject #BornoState #Viral #Trending #Facebook

Zulum Calls for Shift from Relief to Recovery as IOM Marks 25 Years in Nigeria @BornoGovt State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has called for greater investment in housing, livelihoods and infrastructure to help people displaced by conflict in Northeast Nigeria rebuild their lives. @ProfZulum made the call on Wednesday at the 25th anniversary celebration of the International Organization for Migration (@UNmigration ) in Nigeria at the Abuja Continental Hotel where he joined other dignitaries to unveil the organisation’s roadmap for the next 25 years. The governor commended IOM for providing life-saving assistance and improving conditions for displaced families in Borno and other parts of the Northeast. He recalled how insurgency forced thousands of families to abandon their homes, farmlands and communities for internally displaced persons’ camps. He said the crisis also affected neighbouring countries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger, making cooperation among governments and international partners essential to an effective response. Zulum stressed that emergency assistance must be followed by sustained support to address the challenges keeping families in displacement and help them become self-reliant. He urged partners to invest in permanent and semi-permanent shelters, create livelihood opportunities and support infrastructure development and environmental restoration. These efforts, he said, would help affected communities recover and enable displaced people to live with dignity and independence. The governor reaffirmed Borno State Government's readiness to work with IOM and other development partners to support recovery, improve livelihoods and promote stability across conflict-affected communities in the northeast. The anniversary brought together government officials, diplomats, development partners and other stakeholders to review IOM’s work in Nigeria and discuss future cooperation on migration management, humanitarian assistance, recovery and development.

Zulum joins Tinubu on Saudi trip @BornoGovt Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara @ProfZulum Zulum, was among several dignitaries on the delegation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Saudi Arabia. President Bola Ahmed @officialABAT Tinubu departed Abuja on Thursday for Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to perform the Umrah pilgrimage. While in the holy lands, a prayer session is expected to be conducted for Nigeria's peace, unity, and stability. According to a press release issued Wednesday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the President will perform the Umrah rites in Mecca and seek Allah's guidance and blessings for Nigeria and its people. The statement noted that the trip gives the President an opportunity for spiritual reflection and devotion. The delegation has other Governors, ministers and some close presidential aides. The President is expected to return to Nigeria next week after completing the pilgrimage.

Radio Nigeria Network News Spotlight highlights the newly inaugurated Kashim Ibrahim Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri a milestone marking a new chapter in Borno’s healthcare recovery. Written by Dauda Iliya, Special Adviser to the Borno State Governor on Media. #BornoState #ZulumIsWorking #BornoRising

NNPCL to resume exploration in Borno as Zulum meets top management in Maiduguri @BornoGovt State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has secured a commitment from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (@nnpclimited ) to resume oil exploration activities in the state, even as he raised concerns over the delayed upgrade of the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant. The commitment was made known on Wednesday when Governor @ProfZulum received NNPCL top management in Maiduguri, led by the Chairman of the board, Engr Ahmadu Musa Kida, to discuss energy development and the resumption of exploration activities in the state. Speaking during the meeting, the Governor emphasised the strategic importance of resuming exploration in Borno, noting that the state has enormous commercial potential and borders three countries. He expressed optimism that the renewed drive by the national oil company would unlock the state's vast hydrocarbon potential and boost economic development. However, Governor Zulum also used the occasion to express concern over the slow pace of work on the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant, a critical infrastructure project designed to improve electricity supply in the state. He noted with dismay that despite having all necessary materials on site for about two years, the plant upgrade remains incomplete. Governor Zulum urged NNPCL management to intervene and ensure the project is completed on time, stressing that the plant is vital to the socio-economic well-being of the people of Maiduguri and its environs. In his response, the leader of the delegation assured the Governor of the company's readiness to fast-track the resumption of exploration in the Borno Basin and to address the bottlenecks hindering the completion of the emergency power plant. He commended Governor Zulum for his continued support and for creating a conducive environment for investment in the state. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur; Secretary to Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani; Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mallumbe; and some senior government officials, while the NNPCL delegation included Mr Udy Ntia, Executive Vice President, Upstream, Mr Olalekon Ogunleye, Executive Vice President, Gas, Power and New Energy, among others.

Presidential Campaign: Zulum Calls for Strategic Mobilisation Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has called for effective coordination and strategic engagement among members of the Contact and Mobilisation Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council. Zulum made the call on Tuesday at a meeting of the committee in Abuja where he urged members to demonstrate commitment to their responsibilities and work together to deliver on its mandate. Zulum, who serves as Coordinating Director, Contact and Mobilisation, said the committee was responsible for coordinating the activities of its various units and groups in line with directives from the APC national leadership. He stated that its central assignment was to work towards the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. The Governor stressed the importance of holding periodic meetings to review activities, assess progress and develop strategies for engagement and mobilisation. Governor Zulum also urged members to draw on their collective experience and strengthen consultations to ensure the committee delivers on its mandate. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council in charge of mobilisation, Senator Adams Oshiomhole; Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad; Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

Zulum shuts medical tourism as VP Shettima opens KIU Teaching Hospital, others Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s administration has delivered the Kashim Ibrahim University Teaching Hospital, a modern medical facility designed to reposition Borno as a state that provides quality healthcare and medical training in Nigeria. The vice president, Senator Kashim Shettima, commissioned the teaching hospital and other key projects in Maiduguri on Friday. The 400-bed Kashim Ibrahim University Teaching Hospital is a comprehensive healthcare and training institution comprising 13 specialist departments, including diagnostic, medical, surgical, emergency, pediatric, internal medicine, physiotherapy, among others. It also has a medical college complex, a students’ hostel, a 200-unit staff estate and an oxygen plant complex. The facility has modern diagnostic equipment, including a sophisticated 1.5-tesla MRI scanner, a 160-slice CT scanner, three conventional and two mobile X-ray machines, three 4D ultrasound machines, a fluoroscopy system for real-time imaging and a digital mammography machine. The investment will reduce medical tourism by bringing advanced diagnostic and specialist care closer to home for Borno residents, people from neighbouring communities and foreign residents across Lake Chad, while also strengthening training for medical students and health professionals. Beyond providing medical care, the teaching hospital will address the healthcare manpower shortage by training medical professionals, including doctors, nurses and allied health workers for Borno State and the North East. In addition to the hospital, the vice president commissioned the Yerwa Practice Mega Primary School, constructed by the Zulum administration, and another mega primary school delivered under the Kashim Shettima Free Education Programme, the vice president's pet project that provides free education to orphans and vulnerable children. The vice president commended Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, describing the projects as those that could stand the test of time. He said, “We shall be judged by what survives our time in office, the offices we held, the aides who surrounded us, and the length of our convoys will have surrendered their importance. What will endure are the institutions we built, the roads we built and the lives we improved through service. That is the meaning of our gathering here in Maiduguri. That is why this occasion brings me such joy.” He added, “According to Carl Sagan's law of insignificance, 100 years from now, everyone you know or who knows you will be out of this world. This is why I do not doubt the vision of His Excellency Professor Babagana Umara Zulum; his passion for healthcare and education is expressed in the institution before us.” “The ultra-modern Kashim Ibrahim University Teaching Hospital and the school that dotted our landscape in Maiduguri and across the state give substance to his belief that Borno recovery must reach the patient awaiting treatment and the child sitting in a place in the classroom.”

Zulum Pledges Stronger AU Partnership to Get 800,000 Children Back to School Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has pledged to strengthen the state’s partnership with the African Union (AU) to expand access to education for about 800,000 out-of-school children. Zulum made the pledge on Thursday when he received a delegation led by the African Union Chairperson’s Special Envoy for Children Affected by Armed Conflict, Ambassador Jainaba Jagne, on a courtesy visit to Government House, Maiduguri. The Governor said the number of out-of-school children in Borno had fallen from more than two million about seven years ago to approximately 800,000. He called for further support to sustain the progress and bring more vulnerable children into classrooms. “Education is the bedrock for any meaningful development, and therefore one area that we need support from the African Union is to increase access for out-of-school children to be enrolled in schools,” Zulum said. He explained that education remained central to Borno’s transition from humanitarian response to recovery, stabilisation and long-term development. He added that his administration had invested in school reconstruction, teacher recruitment, and expanded learning opportunities, with particular attention to vulnerable children and girls. “The protection of children is not merely a humanitarian obligation. It is a strategic investment in peace, security and sustainable development,” he stated. Zulum identified education, psychosocial support, skills development, and community acceptance as essential to recovering and reintegrating children affected by conflict. He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to safe, inclusive learning environments and the principles of the Safe Schools Declaration. The Governor also sought support to strengthen primary healthcare in communities with limited access to tertiary health facilities. He identified trained personnel, modern equipment, and nutritional services as priorities to improve children’s health and tackle malnutrition. “Our children deserve better attention. The issue of malnutrition is also there among our own society,” he said. Zulum stressed that protecting children also required better economic opportunities for their mothers and families. He called for livelihood support to help households meet children’s nutritional, educational and other essential needs. “Enhancing the means of livelihood of the mothers will no doubt reduce the vulnerability of the children,” the Governor added. He welcomed the AU’s education-focused interventions and reaffirmed Borno’s commitment to working with the Union, the Federal Government, the United Nations, and other partners on education recovery, youth empowerment, child protection, and peacebuilding. In a remark, African Union Special Envoy on Children Affected by Armed Conflict, Ambassador Jainaba Jagne, commended Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s administration for its efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate children affected by insurgency, saying the experience offers lessons for other African countries. The envoy said her engagements with the First Lady, Associate Professor Falmata Babagana Umara Zulum, and visits to the Bulumkutu Interim Care Centre and Muna Vocational Centre had allowed her to assess the state’s interventions. “We have to take back to the African Union member states the amazing work that is being done here in Borno State,” Amb Jagne said. Ambassador Jagne said the delegation brought educational materials for more than 1,000 children, along with hygiene supplies for adolescent girls undergoing reintegration.

Borno Scrap Dealers Disown National Body’s Claims Back Zulum’s Reforms The Borno State chapter of the National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria, popularly called (AJAKUTA), has distanced itself from claims by its national body and some individuals regarding the state government’s recent decision on scrap scavenging. The State Chairman, Umar Usman, made known the association’s position on Wednesday when he led other executive members on a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Committee to Review the Ban on Metal Scavenging in Borno State, Hon. Nasiru Ali Surundi, in Maiduguri. Mal. Usman welcomed Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s decision, describing it as a positive step towards restoring members’ livelihoods and ensuring orderly business operations. “We welcome the Governor’s decision in good faith and dissociate ourselves from the claims made by our national body and some individuals. As law-abiding citizens, we support the state government’s efforts to regulate our activities,” Usman said. He thanked the Governor for supporting the association’s members and other residents of the state, pledging cooperation with the committee towards implementing the government’s reforms. Responding, Hon. Surundi commended the association for clarifying its position, explaining that the government’s measures were intended to sanitise the scrap business for the benefit of dealers and the wider public. “The measures introduced by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum are aimed at sanitising the scrap business for the benefit of our people. We urge the association’s national leadership to verify its facts before making public claims,” Surundi said. Other members of the delegation endorsed their chairman’s position and pledged support for the state government’s decision. The visit came barely a week after Governor Zulum announced the temporary lifting of the ban on scrap scavenging and began developing a proposed roadmap toward lifting the ban.

Zulum Condoles Dalori, Late Sir Kashim Ibrahim's Family over Loss of Loved Ones Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has condoled the Deputy National Chairman (North) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori, over the death of his daughter that died on Sunday in Abuja. Governor Zulum visited Hon. Dalori at his Abuja residence. He described the death as painful but urged the family to accept it as the will of Allah, noting that, as Muslims, "every soul shall taste death." He prayed to Allah to grant the deceased Aljannatul Firdaus and to give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. The Governor also condoled with the family of the late Sir Kashim Ibrahim, the first indigenous Governor of Northern Nigeria, over the death of his eldest son, Architect Shettima Mohammed Kashim. Governor Zulum was accompanied on the visit by the APC governorship candidate, Engr Mustapha Gubio; member representing Marte/Monguno/Nganzai Federal Constituency, Engr Bukar Talba, Secretary to the State Government; Bukar Tijani, acting Chief of Staff to the Governor; Dr Babagana Mustapha Malumbe, the APC candidate for Abadam/Kukawa/Guzamala/Mobbar Federal Constituency; Hon. Fati Kakenna; and some commissioners, among others.

Ajakuta: Borno loses infrastructure worth billions to scavengers, Zulum says Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has revealed that the state has lost metals, electrical materials and infrastructure worth billions of naira to scavengers, locally known as Ajakuta. He said this, among other security concerns, led to a ban on the scrap metal trade in Borno State. The Governor disclosed this on Saturday while addressing operators, urging them to submit proposals on how they can continue their businesses without contributing to insecurity or destroying public infrastructure. Zulum explained that the ban was imposed in the overall interest of the state and not to deprive operators of their livelihood. He stressed that the government had no personal interest in stopping their businesses, adding that the measure aimed to protect public assets and strengthen security. Governor Zulum said, “It is deeply concerning to me if one person loses his livelihood for whatever reason in Borno; believe me, there is nothing I stand to gain from banning scrap metal trade rather than addressing the serious security concerns associated with your activities.” “We spent more than N3 billion to connect an electricity distribution line from Damaturu to Maiduguri, but unfortunately we lost all the wires to the metal scavenging activities. Before the ban, hundreds of your members were killed in the process of scavenging for metals in the villages that are not yet safe for civilian activities.” “We have security intelligence that even the insurgents use your platforms to sell looted metals. So, no responsible government will ignore such intelligence just to be politically correct.” He further granted a waiver allowing the operators to evacuate stock accumulated before the ban at selected locations, a move intended to ease the impact of the restriction on genuine businesses.