Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Tag: Governor Babagana Umara Zulum

  • BOSG Commences Ruga And Ranching Project

    BOSG Commences Ruga And Ranching Project

    By Dauda R Pam MAIDUGURI

    Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has commenced the implementation of  the federal government rural grazing area, RUGA, scheme under the  national livestock development plan in BORNO state..

    This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser Media, Isa Gusau, and circulated to the media, indicated that the GOVERNOR was in Abuja on a visit to the Minister of agriculture and Natural Resources, Muhammad Nanono, to intimate the Minister on his plans to domesticate the ranching project.

    Already, land has been allocated to that effect according to the statement.

    “Besides to our ongoing ranching project sited in the central part of Borno”, stressing that the state was in another collaborative project that will be extended to South and North Senatorial Districts of Borno state.

    He said, officials from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture are expected to arrive in Maiduguri soon on an assessment tour to implement the RUGA project.

    Responding, the Minister Mohammed Nanono, applauded the Governor for his foresight and efforts to commence the ranching project and assured  that preliminary works will be completed to pave the way to commence the RUGA scheme in Borno state.

    The GOVERNOR was accompanied by top officials including the Commissioner of Animal and Fisheries, Modu Walama, Special Adviser on Animal Resources, Tijjani Modu and state Co-ordinator of RUGA, Musa Kubo.

  • BOSG To Collaborate With Military To Safeguard Farmers During The 2021 Farming Season In Borno

    BOSG To Collaborate With Military To Safeguard Farmers During The 2021 Farming Season In Borno

    By Dauda R Pam Maiduguri

    Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State is set to collaborate with the Nigerian military to safeguard farmers during the 2021 farming season in the state.

    The Governor disclosed this in Mobbar Local Government Area of the state, assuring over 3,000 farmers who are to benefit from improved seeds during this year farming period.

    He directed that 3,000 families be provided with packages of inputs that would include improved seeds, fertilizer, water pumps and chemicals to safely return to their farms as they will be secured by the Nigerian military.

    According to him, 3,000 families will be benefiting in a second phase of inputs’ distribution by the Governor for rain fed and irrigation farming.

    The Governor visited the farms to assess progress made by the 1,200 irrigations, about which he said he was impressed.

    “Earlier this year, we were here to support some of our farmers in the first phase. In this second phase, we will profile 3,000 families from those that did not benefit and we shall support them for both irrigation and rain fed farming. The 3,000 households to benefit will translate to about 20,000 or less persons benefiting from the scheme,” Zulum said.

    Damasak, which was famous for massive agriculture, had farming activities suspended for nearly six years following Boko Haram’s occupation in 2014; a situation that threatened food security in the area.

    “Let me commend the Nigerian military, the police and other paramilitary forces for their unprecedented support to our farmers. They allowed our farmer to safely go to their farmlands and return within stipulated time.

    “To the Chief of Army Staff, the theatre commander and all principal officers, we remain eternally grateful to all of them as they steadily implement the directive of the President, that the military should secure safe farming in Borno,” Zulum said.

  • President Muhammadu Buhari Enjoins Political Leaders To Emulate Governor Zulum In Providing Dividends Of Democracy To The People

    President Muhammadu Buhari Enjoins Political Leaders To Emulate Governor Zulum In Providing Dividends Of Democracy To The People

    By  Dauda R PamMaiduguri

    President Muhammadu Buhari has called on elected political leaders to emulate the sterling   leadership qualities of Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, for his selfless service to the people, as opposed to buck-passing and game blame syndrome.

     He made the call on Thursday, during a one day state visit and security assessment of Operation Hadin Kai theatre command headquarters in MAIDUGURI, where he took time-off, to commission seven out of the 556 capital projects executed by the  Borno state Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum’s two years in office.

    Hear him, “I am highly impressed by the very dynamic leadership that, Governor Babagana Umaru Zulum, has been providing in Borno State in the last two years. 

    He is very selfless and has been taking a lot of personal risks in order to guarantee the safety and welfare of his people.
    I wish that every other person who has responsibility for the people at various levels will emulate Governor Zulum, instead of squandering so much time on unhelpful buck-passing and blame games.  I have gone round to commission some of the capital projects executed by the Zulum Administration in two years. I am very happy with what I saw”.

    At the Muna Vocational Training Institute, the President described it as, “a very dynamic answer to skills acquisition and job creation efforts” which has the potentials to drastically reduce youth unemployment in the state.

    The institute, it was gathered, was designed to train about 1,500 persons annually, it has 14 workshops for Automobile and Mechatronics, Electrical Installation, Solar Installation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Leather Works, Barbing and Cosmetology, Plumbing and Pipe Fitting, GSM Repairs, Welding and Fabrication, Maisonry and Building, Carpentry and Joinery; Tie and Die, ICT, as well as Tailoring and Fashion design.

    It also has, six hostels of about 200 rooms, a kitchen and common room, as well as an Auditorium, administrative building, and sporting facilities.

    The President commissioned the Borno State University, which was completed by the Zulum administration including the senate building, two large hostels with 150 rooms for 1,200 students,34 units of duplexes and bungalows for Professors, senior and intermediate staff.

    Other projects included, seven kilometers of road and drainage network, landscaping works across the University, just as, the major infrastructural works were earlier done by the Kashim Shettima’s administration, the founder of the state university.

    Also commissioned, were two mega-size Government Day Technical Secondary Schools in Njimtilo and Goni Kachallari and a higher Islamic School, near the Shehu’s palace, all of which have 60 air-conditioned classrooms for at least 2,400 students; vocational workshops, laboratories for sciences and ICT, auditoriums and sporting facilities. 

    It will be recalled that, Zulum, has built 16 of such schools across Borno State within the two years in office.. 

    Others commissioned were Abbaganaram Maternal Healthcare Centre, which has 50-bed spaces, theatres, diagnostic equipment, blood banks and laboratories and another replicated in Gwange.

    Roads and drainages were not left out, as the President also commissioned roads and drainages constructed in Jiddari Polo and first phase of 10,000 resettlement houses he had approved for Borno State from which 4,000 have been completed. 


    In another development, President Buhari has directed the Federal Ministry of Health to work with Borno Government in identifying areas through which the FG can support on-going construction of Borno State University Teaching Hospital through intervention, equipment and manpower. 

    The support, according to him, is to compliment the state government which, in two years, executed 58 capital projects on health, which included establishment of 74 primary healthcare centres, new doctors quarters, and the overhaul of eight hospitals.

    Also delivered were, 10 capital projects on security; 13 capital projects on Agriculture; 15 capital projects on commerce and industry and 28 capital projects on Jobs creation, Youths Empowerment and Humanitarian support. 

    As well as 53 capital projects executed on Reconstruction Rehabilitation and Resettlement which involved more than 6,000 resettlement houses for IDPs and Refugees in 15 towns.

    On capital projects,59 delivered on water and environment; 63 capital projects on governance, and another 63 capital projects on roads, transport, rural and urban development, with education having the highest number of 194 capital projects including rehabilitation, completion and fresh construction of Mega-size government technical colleges and primary schools in different communities.

  • Borno Governor Executes 556 Projects As Dividends Of Democracy In Two Years

    Borno Governor Executes 556 Projects As Dividends Of Democracy In Two Years

    By Dauda R PamMaiduguri

    Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has presented about 556 projects as dividends of democracy to the people of the state within the first half of his four year tenure.

    Commissioner for Information, Babakura Abba Jato, announced this in an evidence-based presentation to mark the June 12,2021,Democracy Day, held during a luncheon at the government house multipurpose hall, MAIDUGURI the state capital.

    According to the commissioner,70% of the 556 projects have been completed with 30%at various levels of completion even as most of them do not include policy programmes but capital intensive.

    by Governor Zulum, National and State Assembly members, traditional rulers, party leaders, heads of security agencies and top Government officials.

    Governor Zulum in his remarks, said that arrangements have been concluded for establishment of The Independent Corruption Practices Commission (ICPC) for the state and LGCs workers including public office holders to monitor and investigate any corrupt practice and bring to book anybody found wanting in diverting and mismanaging pubic money whether at the state or Local Government Council level.

    Giving the breakdown of the projects, Jato explained that 194 capital projects were delivered on education, and they include – rehabilitation, completion and fresh construction of mega-size Government technical colleges and primary schools in different communities.

    Also noted that 63 capital projects were delivered on governance and another 63 capital projects on roads, transport, rural and urban development, while 59 capital projects were delivered on water and environment.

    Others were 58 capital projects on health, which included the establishment of 74 primary healthcare centres, new doctors’ quarters, and overhaul of 8 hospitals in Maiduguri Metropolis, Biu, Damboa, Monguno and Magumeri.

    He explained that 53 capital projects were delivered on reconstruction, , rehabilitation and resettlement, which involve more than 6,000 resettlement houses for IDPs and refugees in 15 towns. Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has since approved 10,000 resettlement houses in Borno State, with 4,000 already completed.

    Of the556 projects,28 capital projects are on job creation, youth empowerment and humanitarian support which include an all-inclusive vocational training centre with 14 workshops for capacity development of 1,500 persons per annum. While noting that 15 capital projects were delivered on commerce and industry; 13 capital projects on agriculture and 10 capital projects were executed on security.

    He also recalled that monthly allowances of volunteers in the Civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes was increased, while over 700 vehicles and other logistics were needed to enhance their operational roles of complementing Armed Forces in fighting Boko Haram.

    While Governor Zulum, who warned the LGCs Chairmen and legislators that nobody would be spares if found wanting after their 2 years tenure in office, also advised them to get prepared and to hold responsible and accountable to the LGC funds.

    The governor, further, explained that no corrupt and non performing politician would be reappointed and re-elected in his cabinet neither at the State Assembly or LGCs elections respectively.

    Governor Zulum also disclosed that his administration in the next two years of his first tenure would concentrate on recruitment of qualified teachers and medical workers to empowered the education and health sectors in addition to the furniture and equipment that would be provided to the educational and health facilities constructed and renovated across the state.

    On job creation and empowerment of youths and women especially the physically challenged and vulnerables in the state including the almajiris, would be rehabiliated and reintegrated into the Tsangaya system of education to rid the streets of beggars and loiters.

    The governor also noted that vocational training centers would be equipped and commenced training of unemployed youths as additional centers would be constructed across the state.

  • Gov Zulum Pencils Poverty and Illiteracy as Responsible Factors for Insurgency in Nigeria

    Gov Zulum Pencils Poverty and Illiteracy as Responsible Factors for Insurgency in Nigeria

    From DAUDA R PAM-MAIDUGURI

    Poverty and illiteracy has been identified as one of the major  factors responsible for insurgency in the country.

    Borno Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum stated this during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Nasarawa state government and Flour Mills Nigeria in Abuja, with the view to establish a sugar company in Toto local government of Nassarawa state.

    Governor Zulum also used the occasion to advise his Nassarawa state counterpart, Abdullah Sule, to insist that majority of workers of the company must be indigenes of the state.

    According to him, the establishment of the company would create jobs and stimulate the economy that would support the state and the nation.

    Zulum was empatic as he  identified poverty, illiteracy, high inequality and environmental degradation as some of the root causes of insurgency.

    “I am, therefore advising governor Sule to establish strong institutional arrangements that would ensure the sustainability of the agreement.

    “Many at times in Nigeria, programmes do not last long due to poor institutional arrangements for implementation.

    “It is my sincere prayer that the Flour Mills Nigeria will take into consideration the plight of the indigenes of Nasarawa state, first in terms of local content development and recruitment,” Zulum stated.

    He explained that considering the plight of the indigenes of the state was key to guaranteeing security and smooth operations of the company in Nasarawa.

    And further advised, that under no circumstances should the governor allow the FMN to recruit people contrary to the terms of agreement, noting that, the company’s failure to partner with the indigenes could trigger the kind of security challenges occurring in other parts of the country, as he did not want such an ugly situation to be witnessed in Nasarawa state.

    Borno state, he hinted, would also partner with the Flour Mills of Nigeria, soon on an investment opportunity for the overall development of his, borno, state.

  • Verification Committee Indicts 21 Health Workers Over Fake Certificates, 91 Ghost Staff Gulping N23m Monthly In Borno

    Verification Committee Indicts 21 Health Workers Over Fake Certificates, 91 Ghost Staff Gulping N23m Monthly In Borno

    By Dauda R PamMaiduguri

    Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of BORNO state, has expressed deep displeasure over the identification of 21 health workers operating with fake certificate and 91 ghost staff gulping about N23m monthly, as was  verified by the committee set up by government to  authenticate the qualifications and identities of workers in its health institutions payroll.

    Chairman of the committee, Dr. Joseph Jatau, revealed this, while presenting the committee’s report to Governor Zulum at his office annex in Musa Usman secretariat, Monday, MAIDUGURI.

    He explained to the governor that, among those found  with fake certificates, were some nurses and other medical support staff and that also, 91 ghost workers were faked from the list of health workers in the state, who had either resigned or withdrawn from service, while salaries were being paid in their names. 

    The committee also, found out that some dead, retired and absconded staff were being consistently promoted with salaries also paid in their names. 

    Following its findings, the committee has made 13 recommendations that could help reposition the Hospital Management Board (HMB) for optimal healthcare service delivery in the state. 

    Governor Zulum was visibly  worried that some health workers could use fake certificates, despite the risk of handling the health issues of citizens, without prerequisite training and certification.  

    “Anyone that fakes certificates in nursing and other medical courses is capable of killing people. Only God knows how many people they might have harmed or even killed. Honestly, we shouldn’t let this go, we should ensure appropriate actions to be served to the culprits. I cannot be lenient on matters involving life and death. Importantly also, we have to employ measures to avert future occurrences” Zulum said.

  • Governor Zulum To Commence Commissioning Of Completed Projects Ahead Of Democracy Day

    Governor Zulum To Commence Commissioning Of Completed Projects Ahead Of Democracy Day

    By DAUDA R PAM-MAIDUGURI

    Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, has said that, he will soon commence the  inauguration of completed projects executed by his administration to commemorate the forth coming democracy day slated for May 29,2021.

    Umara Zulum announced this while speaking to the media shortly after his arrival to Maiduguri the state capital, from his 2021 annual leave.

     He said, the completed projects will impact positively to the well-being of the people of the state as a way of making available dividends of democracy to the door step of the electorates.

    Being the first GOVERNOR to transmit power to his deputy during his annual vacation, since the inception of democracy, commended the cordial relationship between a governor and his deputy and described it as very important in enhancing trust and good governance.


    “The relationship between a governor and his deputy is very important. This is somebody that will take over from you if anything happens to you.

    “I see no reason why I should not trust my deputy,” Zulum said.

    According to him, he did not only transmit power to his deputy to fulfil constitutional requirement but to give the deputy a sense of belonging, sustain good governance and bridge any gap between them.

    “He did well as acting governor in my absence and whenever there is such opportunity I will hand over to him,”Zulum added, applauding the people of Borno who trooped out en-mass to welcome him on arrival from his foreign trip.

    He restated his administration’s commitment to good governance and return of lasting peace in the state.

    On IDPs, he added that the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)to their ancestral communities is on course as the IDPs occupying schools within Maiduguri metropolis would be resettled before the end of the month.

  • Borno Assembly Approves Request For Deputy Governor To Act As Governor For 21 Days

    Borno Assembly Approves Request For Deputy Governor To Act As Governor For 21 Days


    By Dauda R PamMaiduguri 

    The request for Borno state Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, to serve as acting governor, from April 29 to May 19, 2021 has been approved by the BORNO state House of Assembly.

    The approval was conveyed by the speaker, Abdulkarim Lawan, in a letter conveyed by GOVERNOR BABAGANA UMARA ZULUM, dated April 26, 2021. 

    GOVERNOR Zulum, had on April 23, 2021, written to the Borno House of Assembly, seeking the lawmakers approval to proceed on 21 days vacation. 

    According to the statement issued by Special Adviser Media to the Governor, Isa Gusau, over the weekend,said that the request was in compliance with provisions of section 190 (1) of the constitution, notify the House of  Assembly to approve the Deputy Governor to serve as acting Governor throughout the 21 days, in order to constitutionally give him the full powers to effectively, handle the affairs of Borno State.

    The  spokesman to the Governor, Malam Isa Gusau, explained that he has been mandated to  notify Borno people of the development in a  communication via journalists at the weekend. 

    “Governor Zulum has directed all Government officials and institutions to fully comply with his transmission of power” Gusau said.

  • BOSG Set To Join The Single Treasury Account, TSA, In Its Efforts To Block Revenue Leakages.

    BOSG Set To Join The Single Treasury Account, TSA, In Its Efforts To Block Revenue Leakages.

    By Dauda RPam Maiduguri.

    Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of  Borno state, has said that government is set to establish a remittal platform for the Treasury Single Account (TSA) in its efforts to block leakages in revenue receipts and deposits.
    Announcing this at the weekend in Maiduguri, the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning, Alhaji Adamu Lawan, declared this at the breakdown of the 2021 budget appropriation.
    Hear him, “Our remittal platform will be launched on March 15, 2021.”

    “As from March, all payments and revenue collected by government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) will be paid directly into the treasury single account.”

    He said that, the measures are aimed at blocking all leakages in revenue collection for the subsequent financial fiscal years and that, besides the adoption of TSA, the budget process will also be digitalized, including the capture of workers’ salaries and gratuities into the Integrated Payroll and Personal Information System (IPPIS) of Borno state.

    The internally generated revenue, IGR, projection for 2021 budget was estimated at N16.6bn out of the total recurrent revenue size of N83.3bn.

    According to him, “The Borno state government projected funds would accrue from the statutory monthly allocation from the federation account, grants and loans and other financial supports.”

    The approved 2021 budget size of N248.3 billion was targeted to improve security, boost agriculture and food production, and discourage dependence on food aids.

    Noted that reconstruction of public infrastructure including roads, hospitals and water supply points are ongoing across the state.

    He added that, the budget will also address the impacts of the corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic on the people.

    The, “People’s Budget of Recovery and Reconstruction, was about N140 billion higher than the 2020 reviewed appropriation bill accented by Governor Babagana Zulum.
    The Finance Commissioner warned heads and finance directors of government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) against spending outside budgetary allocations.

    “You would be punished for violating any of the financial rules and regulations, while implementing the budget,” he warned.

    He said such acts were a violation of government procedures and could put an impeachable offence on the neck of the state government.

    He said the Ministry of Finance would withhold releases of funds to any ministry, department and agency that continue to indulge in financial recklessness and urged the people to be law abiding by paying their taxes and duties promptly to ensure the Zulum administration redeems its pledges on the dividends of democracy and good governance.

  • Insecurity: Borno, Yobe elders meet Buhari, seek increased military presence

    Insecurity: Borno, Yobe elders meet Buhari, seek increased military presence

    Elders from two North Eastern states currently witnessing security challenges -Yobe and Borno, on Tuesday met with President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The two state governors, Babagana Zulum (Borno) and Mai-Mala Buni (Yobe), led the delegation to the meeting held behind closed doors.

    At the end of the meeting, Zulum told State House correspondents that the elders seized the opportunity of the meeting to seek increased military presence in the two states from Buhari.

    He said they also called Buhari’s attention to infrastructural deficit in the two states and the entire North.

    The governor said, “The Borno Elders’ Forum and Yobe Elders’ Forum met with Mr President purposely to convey their appreciation to the Federal Government, under the distinguished leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari on all the efforts he has made to address insecurity in the region.

    “Again, they have raised their concerns to Mr President with a view to solving them – infrastructural deficits in Borno and Yobe States and the entire northern region.

    “They have also requested from the Federal Government sustained military operation which has been yielding fruitful results in recent times.

    “So far so good, the President has responded positively to the governments and people of Borno and Yobe states that he will do everything possible within the available resources to ensure sustainability of the ongoing military operations in the region.

    “In terms of improving social economic situation of the region, we have also requested increased government support in terms of humanitarian support, in terms of education and others.

    “The bottom line is that we came here to thank Mr President and to ensure increased military and para-military presence in Borno and Yobe States and indeed the entire North East subregion with a view to ensuring security of the nation.”
    Those who accompanied the governors included former Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima; and Ministers of State Agriculture, Mustapha Shehuri and that of State-Works and Housing, Abubakar Aliyu.

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd.) and the Director-General of the Department of State Service, Yusuf Bichi, also attended the meeting.

    See Photos;