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Tag: Babagana Zulum

  • 2023 Election: Zulum accepts call to contest for 2nd term

    2023 Election: Zulum accepts call to contest for 2nd term

    Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno says he has accepted the calls by civil servants, clubs and associations to contest for a second term in office.

    Zulum stated this receiving a cheque of N50m donated to him by a total of 150 clubs and associations to purchase the All Progressives Congress (APC) expression of interest and nomination forms, in Maiduguri on Wednesday.

    Newsmen reports that the 150 clubs and associations are under the auspices of Coalition for Zulum Good Governance Continuity Support 2023.

    “I have answered your calls to re-contest and I count on God’s guidance.

    “I saw what you did, particularly the contributions from individuals, ranging from N500 to N1000,” Zulum said.

    The governor, who listed some of the promises he made during last governorship election which had been fulfilled, said that his administration would continue to accord priority to security and good governance to enhance more development in the state.

    He assured the groups of more empowerment programmes, adding that those whose members had yet to get interest-free loans from government to boost their businesses would be considered, while those who had benefited would be considered for more support.

    Zulum called for sustain prayers for more peace and progress in the state and the nation in general.

    Earlier, Chairman of the group, Alhaji Awaji Bukar, said that their call for the governor to run for a second term in office was based on his satisfactory performance during his first term.

    He also said that they were satisfied with the development of the state by Zulum and would want him to continue.

    Bukar said that the governor had no choice than to heed the call in order to sustain people’s hope in the Borno project.

    In his remarks, the APC Chairman in the state, Alhaji Ali Dalori, thanked residents for the gesture, saying that it was an indication of their satisfaction with the governor’s performance, assuring that they would not be disappointed.

    NAN reports that this was the first time that clubs and associations would mobilise their members to raise funds to purchase form for a sitting governor in the state.

  • Zulum appoints 3 new Permanent Secretaries

    Zulum appoints 3 new Permanent Secretaries

    Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has approved the appointment of three new Permanent Secretaries in the state civil service.

    This is contained in a statement by the state Head of Service, Mr Simon Malgwi, on Friday in Maiduguri.

    Malgwi said the appointment was inline with the powers confer on the governor by Section 208 (2) (C) of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

    He listed the appointees to include Garba Musa, Grema Fannami and Ahmadu Umara.

  • Zulum advocates for enhanced salary, welfare for military personnel

    Zulum advocates for enhanced salary, welfare for military personnel

    Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has advocated for improved salary and welfare for the military personnel to boost thier morale.

    Zulum made the call on Sunday in Maiduguri at a feast to celebrate the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, Maj.-Gen. Abdulwahab Eyitayo, who was promoted to the rank of Major General.

    Zulum noted that military personnel had made lots of sacrifices under harsh conditions and paid the supreme price to secure the nation, adding that it need to be rewarded accordingly.

    He congratulated Eyitayo and other elevated officers, saying that the government and people of the state were excited over the development.

    The governor reiterated commitment of his administration to support the military to enable it to succeed in the fight against insurgency.

    Zulum described the relative peace recorded in the state as a welcome development, adding that it facilitated resettlement of displaced persons in the liberated communities.

    He also announced plans to re-open the commercially viable Maiduguri – Gamboru – Ngala road and Maiduguri – Damboa road in January, to fast track normalisation of activities in the state.

    “Today; I am happy as the Governor of Borno because we have achieved a lot.

    “We are able to return people to Baga, Wulgo, Ngoshe and many communities in the state.

    “By the grace of God, we shall soon resettle people back to Malumfatori, headquarters of Abadam Local Government Area.

    “The only way we can fight insurgency is for us to continue to be resilient,” he said.

    In their separate remarks, Eyitayo and Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa, Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), restated commitment of the military to end insurgency in the country.

    While commending the support of the government and people of the state in the counter insurgency operation, they urged remnants of the terrorists to emulate those that surrendered before it’s too late.

  • What I discussed with Buhari on his visit to Borno State – Gov Zulum

    What I discussed with Buhari on his visit to Borno State – Gov Zulum

    Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has said it was a good thing that President Muhammadu Buhari visited the State and that he had the opportunity to discuss issues of benefits to the State with the President.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Zulum made this known on Thursday while speaking to a group of stakeholders after the presidential visit.

    While conveying his deepest gratitude to the people of Borno State over the impressive turn out to receive Buhari, Zulum emphasized that he made some requests that will benefit Borno and that he will follow up on those requests.

    He also expressed his deepest condolences over the explosion that happened in the State as Buhari visited, saying he had sent some officials and had been updated.

    “I want to start by conveying our deepest condolences over the unfortunate incident earlier today. I had sent some officials and I have been updated. Our hearts are with all affected people. I also wish to thank our people in Maiduguri for their understanding as a result of restrictions due to Presidential movement.

    “The good thing is that Buhari’s visit was a good thing for us, insha’Allah. We discussed matters of security. We also made some requests that will benefit Borno and we will follow up on those requests.

    “I am profoundly grateful to the people of Borno State, especially our people in Maiduguri and Jere who came out to show love to the President. Some people see the goodwill God has granted us only from a positive angle, but while it is a good thing, it also worries me a lot. Getting the love of the people is actually a delicate thing that demands reciprocating with sincere leadership.

    “Insha’Allah, we will continue to reciprocate by standing for our people and making efforts to meet their needs. Most importantly, we are not relaxing on security. We are working 24/7 and we will not relax these efforts, insha’Allah,” Zulum said.

  • Gov Zulum reshuffles cabinet, redeploys Commissioners

    Gov Zulum reshuffles cabinet, redeploys Commissioners

    Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has effected a ‘minor’ cabinet reshuffle, redeploying three commissioners.

    This is contained in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Danjuma Ali on Tuesday in Maiduguri.

    Ali said the Commissioner for Animal Resources and Fisheries Development, Juliana Bitrus moves to the Ministry of Health and Human Services.

    The Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Lawan Walama moves to the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries Development.

    He also said that the Commissioner for Justice, Mr Kaka-Shehu Lawan is to oversee the Ministry of Environment.

    In another development, Gov. Zulum has approved the reconstitution of the board of the Borno Primary Health Care Development Agency with Ahmed Tijani as Chairman.

    Ali, said that Gov. Zulum also approved the appointment of Dr Joseph Jatau as Chairman of the Borno Hospital Management Board with immediate effect.

    Also appointed with immediate effect is Abubakar Suleiman as Acting General Manager of Borno Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA).

    In the same vein, he said, in accordance with section nine (9) sub-section one (1) of Borno Primary Health Care Development Agency Law, 2013, the governor has approved the appointment of Dr Abba Goni as Executive Director State Primary Health Care Development Agency.

  • Easter: Zulum lauds tolerance between Christians, Muslims in Borno

    Easter: Zulum lauds tolerance between Christians, Muslims in Borno

    Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has felicitated with Christians in the state over Easter, lauding the peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims in the state despite efforts to cause friction by insurgents.

    Zulum, in a statement by his Speacial Adviser on Media and Strategy, Malam Isa Gusau, urged Christians to use the season for sober reflection and imbibing the teachings of Jesus Christ.

    “A season like this which calls for deep and shared reflection on our lives in general, should remind us of not just the challenges we continually face, but also, to be grateful for some accomplishments we have made together as citizens with equal stakes in the Borno project.

    “For me, one great accomplishment recorded in Borno State is the peaceful co-existence between Muslims and Christians across the 27 Local Government Areas despite being faced with all manner of inciting tactics deployed by those who wish to knock our heads.

    “I am immensely proud of the people of Borno for the religious harmony between Christians and Muslims in families, communities, schools, all our social and political gatherings, at Government institutions, private work places, markets and other business places, in our sporting activities and other aspects of our shared existence.

    “I thank and commend our traditional rulers, elders and religious leaders in both faith, for being role models for younger ones and for our children.

    “Indeed, I am proud of the religious peace we have, and I urge us all to continue to do whatever we can to nurture and preserve that precious harmony between us,” Zulum said.

    He reiterated the commitment of his administration to sustaining that bond of peace and lasting solution to insurgency.

    The governor, who also commended the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Multinational Joint Task Force, and volunteers of the Civilian Joint Task Force, for their sacrifices towards peace in Borno, however urged them not to relent.

  • Photos: Tears as Gov Zulum leads residents to bury farmers killed By Boko Haram

    Photos: Tears as Gov Zulum leads residents to bury farmers killed By Boko Haram

    Tears flowed in Jere local government area of Borno State as Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum on Sunday morning led kinsmen and other residents at Zabarmari for the funeral of 43 farmers killed by Boko Haram terrorists.

    At least forty farmers were killed on Saturday morning around Marrabati and Hammayya villages, near Zabarmari in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State by Boko Haram terrorists.

    The farmers were waylaid on their way to their rice farms which they were harvesting before the surprise attack happened.

    Some other farmers were also taken away by the criminals.

  • No attack on Zulum’s convoy or security aides, media aide clarifies

    No attack on Zulum’s convoy or security aides, media aide clarifies

    A Sunday report by an online media, claiming there was another attack by Boko Haram on the convoy of Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, is false. There was neither an attack on the governor directly nor on any component of his convoy.

    Zulum’s spokesman, Malam Isa Gusau, in a statement issued on Sunday, said Zulum traveled to Baga, spent a day supervising the distribution of food and other relief to thousands of residents and returned to Maiduguri safely with no hitch whatsoever.

    “For the record, we write to quickly clarify that contrary to a “breaking news” by an online news medium, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum was neither attacked nor was any component of his convoy attacked by anyone.

    “The governor was actually in Baga from Saturday to Sunday, during which he supervised the distribution of food and cash support to 5,000 residents and he assessed major reconstruction and resettlement efforts with no hitch whatsoever.

    “While we continually accord respect to all media organizations as supportive partners, we importantly clarify that we have no knowledge of the breaking news” in question.

    “As members of the public can testify, it is the culture and principle of Professor Zulum to say things as they are, and in this case, it is what it is- no attack whatsoever. Any media organization that wants further clarification may wish to contact the Nigerian military.

    “Meanwhile, Governor Zulum appreciates all well wishers, and he gratefully commends armed forces and civilian volunteers for the relentless efforts to fully regain lasting peace in Borno State” the statement said.

  • BREAKING: After attack on Gov Zulum, Boko Haram killers surrender in Borno

    BREAKING: After attack on Gov Zulum, Boko Haram killers surrender in Borno

    The Defence Headquarters says 13 Boko Haram terrorists alongside six women and 17 children from Kodila village have surrendered to troops of 151 Task Force Battalion at Banki Junction in Bama Local Government Area of Borno.

    The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    Enenche said the terrorists surrendered due to sustained aerial bombardment and aggressive intensive clearance operation by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole in the North East.

    He said the suspects and their family members who surrendered on Saturday had been receiving medical attention at a military medical facility.

    According to him, the suspects are currently undergoing thorough profiling and investigation in line with global best practices in handling such cases.

    “The Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies remain resolute, determined and committed to sustaining the tempo of the operations,” he said.

    Recall that some Jihadist fighters linked to the Islamic State group on Friday killed several security personnel in an ambush on the convoy of the Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum.

    According to reports eight policemen, three soldiers, and four members of a government-backed militia were killed in the attack on vehicles carrying the Borno State Governor near the town of Baga on the shores of Lake Chad.

    The insurgents opened fire with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades as the convoy was passing through a village close to the headquarters of the Multinational Joint Task Force, a military coalition of troops from Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

    “The governor escaped unhurt but 15 security men on the convoy were killed in a fierce battle with the terrorists”, one source said.

    Zulum was on an assessment tour of Baga in preparation for the return of thousands of residents displaced from the town by the jihadists in 2014, the sources said.

    The Governor flew on a helicopter into the garrison town of Monguno, 60 kilometres (40 miles) away, and headed to Baga in a convoy under tight security, one of the sources said.

    All three sources were talking on condition of anonyonimity.

    The IS-affiliated Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) group maintains most of its camps on islands in Lake Chad and the region is known as a bastion for the jihadists.

    The militant group has recently intensified attacks on military and civilian targets in the region.

    In July, Zulum’s convoy came under gun attack from ISWAP outside Baga, forcing him to cancel his trip to the town.

  • Gov. Zulum orders auction of Borno State grounded vehicles

    Gov. Zulum orders auction of Borno State grounded vehicles

    Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has ordered the auctioning of 710 grounded government vehicles recovered from ministries and parastatals.

    Zulum gave the directives on Thursday in Maiduguri while inspecting some of the recovered vehicles.

    The reports that the vehicles were recovered by the Committee on Evacuation, Repairs and Auctioning of Grounded Vehicles set up by the governor.

    Zulum, who lauded the committee for the good job, assured it of sustain support to continue in the onerous responsibility.

    The governor lamented the lack of maintenance culture in civil service, pointing out that some of the abandoned vehicles were new ones with minor faults.

    “It is more disheartening that among these vehicles are brand new ones, there are more than one hundred that were used for not more than one year.

    “Lack of maintenance culture, lack of commitment is killing our state. The statistics is very scaring, we have more than 200 tractors abandoned because of minor faults,” Zulum said.

    The governor noted that in his home local government of Mafa alone, there are about 21 abandoned tractors.

    “Let me warn, if we find out that any of such tractors have been diverted before the visit of this committee, believe me the secretary of such local government will be summarily dismissed.

    “These are the assets of the state, it can add value to the lives of our people,

    “I have given you directives to liase with the procurement unit to auction all the recovered vehicles. However, those that require minor repairs can be rehabilitated and put back to use,” Zulum said.

    Earlier, the committee chairman, Lawan Abba-Wakilbe, informed the governor that about 146 of the vehicles and equipments recovered were recovered from private automobile mechanics.

    He explained that the vehicles were abandoned for about two years over minor repairs.