By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has been honoured with two prestigious awards for his leadership in security and public service. The awards were presented at the 2024 Nigeria’s Pride Awards, organized by Beauty of Nigeria TV, Africa Leadership Scorecard, and Nationwide Reporters.
Governor Zulum was represented at the ceremony by his Special Adviser on Media, Alhaji Dauda Iliya, and accompanied by his Senior Special Assistant on New Media, Abdurrahman Ahmed Bundi. The two awards, “Best Governor on Security” and “Most People-Oriented Governor,” were presented by former Presidential aspirant, Dr. Sarah Jibril.
In his remarks, Zulum expressed his gratitude for the recognition, highlighting the importance of the media and its role in promoting leadership excellence. He stated, “I am exceedingly delighted to stand before you today at the 2024 Nigeria’s Pride Awards, an event thoughtfully organised by some of our nation’s most esteemed media professionals and organisations in journalism and communication.”
Zulum also reaffirmed that Borno State, once the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency, has significantly improved in security and is no longer at the centre of the crisis. He noted, “Borno State has reclaimed its identity as the Home of Peace and Hospitality.”
Reflecting on his administration’s achievements, Zulum mentioned that over 1 million displaced persons had been resettled and thousands of homes rebuilt or rehabilitated. He added, “Many farmers, particularly in the southern and northern parts of the state, were able to return to their farmlands, despite the devastating floods in Maiduguri and surrounding areas.”
The governor also highlighted the resurgence of trade and business activities with neighbouring countries like Chad, Cameroon, and Niger, thanks to improved security. Looking ahead, Governor Zulum emphasized the importance of prioritizing technical and vocational education to equip youth with employable skills, address unemployment, and reduce youth restiveness.
