The Shehu of Borno, members of the State and National Assembly, and security heads paid tributes to the Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum on Saturday for undertaking 556 projects in two years.
Glowing tributes were paid in a separate remarks during a ceremony marking the Democracy Day held at the Multipurpose auditorium of the Government House, Maiduguri.
Shehu Garbai, who speaks on behalf of all traditional leaders in Borno said, Zulum’s landmark achievements are unprecedented.
“I wish to commend you for all that you have been doing for the people of Borno, especially on education, health, agriculture, job creation, social services, poverty alleviation, and distribution of food to the IDPs etc. The people of Borno are grateful to you in person and to your administration. We wish you many more years and Allah’s guidance.” The Shehu said.
Senator representing southern Borno, Mohammed Ali Ndume spoke on behalf of 3 Senators from Borno. He commended the Governor for his outstanding performance in two years of his tenure.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we thank God for what our Governor did in just 24 months. Alhamdulillah, I am very proud and we are all very proud of what you have been doing. Alhamdulillah that we have a son that is determined to bring Borno back to its feet. I was really excited and humbled yesterday when I met two important personalities, one was a former Head of State, though he begged me not to disclose his name. He told me, Ndume, you guys are very lucky. There are only two Governors in Nigeria at the moment. One is Babagana Umara Zulum and the others.” Ndume said.
“I was equally opportuned to have an interaction with President Buhari. He told me that your Governor is taking unexceptional and exceptional risk in order to develop your State. I prayed for him every time I know he is going out somewhere.” Ndume added.
The Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Barr. Mohammed Tahir Monguno who speaks on behalf of his colleagues representing different constituencies in Borno said Governor Zulum will always be remembered in the history of Borno.
“We are all thrilled to the array of achievements that were rolled out by the Commissioner for Information, and with all sense of humility and responsibility, I made bold to say that these achievements were unparalleled and unprecedented in annals of the history of Borno State. Your Excellency, for the rare feat that you have exhibited of bringing governance to the doorsteps of the people. For making governance responsible and accountable to the yearning and aspirations of the people, your name will be written in gold in the history of Borno State.” Bar. Monguno said.
The Speaker of the State’s House of Assembly, Hon. Abdulkarim said, 28 members of the house were the number one witness to the achievements and projects undertaken by Governor Zulum’s administration.
“Your Excellency, we are the number one witness to the kind of projects and achievements you have recorded in Borno State. Your Excellency, the entire people of Borno have seen the unprecedented achievements you have recorded. Your Excellency, I assure you that the State Assembly is always behind you to support you to achieve more for the betterment of our people.” The speaker said.
In the opening remarks, the Secretary to the State Government, Usman Jidda Shuwa enjoined residents to support Zulum’s administration; “Your Excellency, I wish to appeal to the people of Borno State, particularly, politicians, our business class and intellectuals, our religious leaders and leaders of thought, and our public servants to keep their unalloyed and unflinching support and assistance to His Excellency, the Executive Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum because of his tested demonstrable commitment and undeniable determination to uplift the standard of living of our people.” The SSG said.
“Your Excellency, based on my experience of over 40 years in both Federal and State levels, and having worked with two former military Heads of State directly and other Heads of States indirectly and Governors, civilians and the military, I can hardly find, and I say with all sense of responsibility and humility, somebody like Babagana Umara Zulum who could perform as Chief Executive in the State leveled as His Excellency Babagana Umara Zulum.” The SSG added.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Borno Elders Forum, Amb. Gambo Gubio has commended the State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum for the achievements he recorded in two years.
In a goodwill message delivered on behalf of the heads of security heads in Borno, the Garrison Commander of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General AGL Haruna said Governor Zulum has provided good leadership for Borno people.
“Your Excellency sir, we in the forum of security heads in Borno appreciate your leadership provided for the people of Borno State. Your efforts were aptly captured by the Commissioner for Information here. I appealed to the good people of Borno to give all the necessary cooperation to His Excellency. We the security operatives will continue to do our best by providing an enabling environment to attain His Excellency’s vision.
The representative of the civil servants and Chairman of Trade Union Congress, Borno Chapter, Comr. Babayo Hamma Shani said Zulum had undertaken a complete revolution of the civil service.
“Your Excellency, for the record, you are the first Governor in Nigeria that implemented the new N30,000 minimum wage. You are also the first Governor in Nigeria to release N12b to be paid for the retired civil servants in Borno. The workers of Borno State Government were very happy with your achievements as it affects them directly and indirectly. Your Excellency, I want assure you of the unflinching support by the workers of Borno State.” Chairman TUC said.
The Commissioner for Information, Baba Kura Abba Jato in a graphic presentation said, Zulum has undertaken 556 projects, 70% of which have been fully completed with many being put into use, while 30% are at various completion levels.
The Commissioner explained that the 556 projects do not include policies and programs, even when most of them are capital intensive.
Giving the breakdown of the projects, Jato explained that 194 capital projects were delivered on education, and they encompass rehabilitation, completion and fresh construction of mega-size Government technical colleges and primary schools in different communities.
He 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.
The Commissioner also said that Zulum delivered 58 capital projects on health, which include establishment of 74 primary healthcare centres, new doctors quarters, and overhaul of 8 hospitals in MMC, 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 four thousand already completed.
Jato noted that 28 capital projects on jobs creation, youths empowerment and humanitarian support which include an all-inclusive vocational training centre with 14 workshops for capacity development of 1,500 persons per annum. He said 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.
