Tag: Zulum

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has pledged more support for wounded soldiers and the families of those who died while fighting the insurgency.

The governor made the pledge on Monday during a visit from the President of the Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs. Lilian Ogogo Christopher Musa, at the Government House in Maiduguri.

Mrs. Musa was in Maiduguri to launch the Thank You Troops Campaign, a new initiative by DEPOWA, an umbrella body for the wives of military and police officers.

The campaign aims to recognise the sacrifices of frontline troops and offer support to wounded soldiers, as well as the families of fallen heroes.

Governor Zulum, who noted that the officers’ wives’ initiative is a noble one, declared himself a “champion” of the campaign and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting troops and their families.

“I promised to be a champion of this noble course by identifying with officers and men of the military,” Zulum stated. “My doors are always open to you at any time to partner with you to support the wounded-in-action, widows, and orphans of deceased military personnel to give them a sense of belonging.”

The governor also recalled the challenges troops faced in communities like Baga before they were resettled and reiterated plans to resettle more displaced communities to consolidate the military’s gains.

He also praised DEPOWA members for their perseverance, acknowledging that military and police personnel often spend years away from their families.

Gov. Zulum commended the Chief of Defence Staff, other Service Chiefs, the Theatre Commander, and all the troops for their “gallantry, resilience, and dedication” to restoring stability in the Northeast and other parts of the country.

In her remarks, Mrs. Musa praised Governor Zulum for his consistent support for the military and the families of fallen heroes.

Read Also: Zulum, Oborevwori, Uzodimma, Uba Sani nominated for 2025 African Governors Award

“I must begin by commending you, Your Excellency, for your unwavering and practical support to the Armed Forces and security agencies in the fight against insurgency,” she said.

She highlighted the governor’s programs for widows and orphans, scholarship schemes for children of the fallen, and other social intervention initiatives as “shining examples of compassionate leadership.”

Mrs. Musa explained that Borno State was chosen as the starting point for the campaign because it is “the heart of the fight,” and Governor Zulum’s leadership “stands as a symbol of resilience.”

She also expressed the association’s commitment to complementing the government’s efforts to improve the living standards of widows, orphans, youths, and the less privileged.

Borno Governor Babagana Zulum has announced a cabinet reshuffle, relieving two commissioners of their duties and appointing replacements.

The move, aimed at revitalising governance and improving service delivery, was confirmed in a statement on Thursday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Dauda Iliya.

The commissioners affected by the change oversaw the ministries of Environment and Intergovernmental and Special Duties.

Governor Zulum extended appreciation to the outgoing officials, wishing them success in their future endeavors.

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Taking their places are Engr. Mohammed Habib and Ibrahim Hala Hassan, who have been appointed to the vacant commissioner positions.

In a related development, Zulum also approved the appointment of Professor Yusuf Gana Balami as the Executive Chairman of the Borno State Secondary Education Board.

Balami, a distinguished Professor of Education Psychology, is a native of Hawul in the southern part of the state.

His extensive career in education includes serving with the Borno State Ministry of Education from 1984 to 1988 before joining the University of Maiduguri as a graduate assistant. He achieved the rank of professor in 2014.

A member of numerous professional bodies, Professor Balami has also authored and co-authored a significant number of publications. Governor Zulum congratulated Professor Balami, urging him to leverage his vast experience as both an administrator and an academic to enhance the quality of secondary education across Borno State.

The Nation checks reveal that all new appointments have been forwarded to the Borno Assembly for confirmation.

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno, has donated N300million to the victims of the recent Mokwa flood disaster.

The Governor announced the donation when he led a delegation from Birnin on a sympathy visit to the Government House, on Tuesday in Minna.

Zulum stated that the donation was to complement the efforts of the Niger Government in addressing the challenges of the disaster.

The governor commiserated with the Government and people of Niger over the devastating effects of the flood that claimed many lives, destroyed property and livelihoods.

Read Also: Zulum donates N100m to wounded soldiers, families of fallen heroes

Zulum added that it was time for all sub-national governments to work collectively to mitigate the effects of climate change in the society.

He also enjoined the Federal Government to establish a robust mechanism that would stem the tide of such obnoxious disasters.

Gov. Umar Bago of Niger, appreciated his Borno counterpart for the visit and the donation, saying that it was timely and a show of love.

He stated that both states have many things in common, applauding,

the ”doggedness, pro-activeness, perseverance and love of Zulum.”

Bago promised that the donation would be utilised properly, even as he said that an intensive advocacy was ongoing on the need for the people to steer clear of coastal lines to avet the recurrence of such destructive phenomena.

(NAN)

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno has donated N100 million to support wounded soldiers and the families of troops killed in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the state.

The governor made the donation yesterday during an Eid-el-Kabir Sallah luncheon jointly hosted by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, at Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.

Zulum presented a cheque of N100 million to the Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar with a breakdown of N500,000 for each wounded soldier and the balance to be shared among the families of soldiers who died in action.

The presentation was made in the presence of Oluyede, Abubakar and the Force Commander, Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Maj.-Gen. Godwin Mutkut.

Read Also: Zulum, Shehu urge FG to fast-track Alau Dam project to avert looming disaster

Speaking at the event, Zulum commended the gallantry, resilience and sacrifices of the Nigerian Armed Forces in the fight against insurgency.

“Your commitment on the frontlines, often under extreme conditions and far from your families, is not lost on us.

”We remain eternally grateful for your service and will never take your sacrifices for granted,” he said.

The governor assured the military leadership of his continued support, saying Borno would remain a committed partner in the ongoing military operations and post-conflict recovery.

“Borno State will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Nigerian Army and all security agencies in the fight against insurgency and in rebuilding our communities for a peaceful and prosperous future,” Zulum said.

Borno State Governor Babagana   Zulum has commended troops of the Civilian Joint Taskforce ( CJTF ), hunters and vigilantes for killing an  Islamic State of West Africa Province ( ISWAP) commander, Abu Fatima and two others in the state.

 Zulum made the commendation during his visit to some communities in the northern part of the state, especially Kukawa Local Government Area, over renewed insurgent attacks.

He said his visit to military formations in Baga, Kukawa and Cross Kauwa to see the troops was to motivate them.  

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The governor said, “ As part of my assessment tour to local government areas, I decided to move to some of the local government areas in the northern part of the State, especially Kukawa.

“I am here to see the troops of the armed forces, the CJTF, hunters and vigilantes to motivate them and see how we can solve their problems. Recently, troops have done very well. You can remember that one of the senior ISWAP members and his two fighters were killed.

‘’Although recently, we lost some of our men, the troops have done very well. We were there to commiserate with them and, most importantly, to strengthen their resilience. We have listened to them. I went to Kukawa, Baga and Cross Kauwa.” 

 The killed  ISWAP commander, Fatima, was said to be in the Nigerian Army’s top wanted terrorists with a bounty of N100 million on his head.

Borno Governor Babagana Zulum has vowed that no local government area in the State will be allowed to fall into the hands of Boko Haram or the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) insurgents, declaring an unyielding stance against renewed security threats in the region.

“A few days ago, I made a call that no local government shall be allowed to be taken over by Boko Haram or ISWAP members. It will never happen now,” Zulum stated on Monday while speaking with journalists after a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

Zulum emphasised that with strengthened collaboration between the Armed fyorces, civilian authorities and local communities, the State would decisively push back against insurgent advances.

“Inshallah, with the support of the Nigerian Army, with the support of the Armed Forces, we will not leave a single local government to fall into the hands of the insurgents,” he said.

The Governor was at the State House to formally brief Tinubu on the escalating security situation in the Northeast, particularly in Borno State and to seek enhanced federal intervention.

“Purposely I came to brief him on the security situation in the Northeast and in particular in Borno State. This is the main reason why I came. Because you have heard it all that within the last few days things are not getting very well in Northern Nigeria, particularly in the Northeast,” Zulum said.

Having just returned from a week-long visit to several conflict-affected local government areas, Zulum said he had seen firsthand the severity of the challenges, especially the targeting of military installations.

Read Also: FG begins payment of N35,000 wage award arrears to federal workers

“We are trying to see how we shall reduce the incessant attacks on military formations and others,” he added.

The Governor commended the federal government’s recent steps to address the situation and expressed optimism that decisive actions by the armed forces would soon yield results.

“I believe within the last couple of days, the Nigerian armed forces have taken some certain decisions that will curtail the imminence of the insurgency, and I believe something shall be done,” he said.

Among the new federal initiatives under discussion, Zulum pointed to the proposed establishment of forest guards as a significant move that could shift the tide against insurgents.

“Most importantly, some plans are underway by the federal government, especially the establishment of forest guards. That will be a game-changer,” he noted.

He also raised concern over the advanced weaponry reportedly in the hands of Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, urging continued federal efforts to match the threat, saying “some of the Boko Haram and ISWAP members are using some sophisticated weapons. I believe the federal government is also working on this direction.”

According to Zulum, Tinubu reaffirmed commitment to confronting the security challenges head-on.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has praised the Federal Government and the military for their swift response to his call to save Marte Local Government Area(LGA) from ISWAP/Boko Haram insurgents.  

 Zulum, who returned to the troubled LGA yesterday, told reporters that many troops and ‘’pieces of equipment’’ had been deployed.

He spent a night in the council on Saturday after visiting nine communities– Kala-Balge, Wulgo, Ngala, Lugumani, Gajibo, Koibe, Dikwa and Ajiri—believed to be worst affected by terror attacks.

On Sunday in Maiduguri, the governor lamented that only one out of the 300 communities that make up Marte LGA was still in control of the government.

He had said: “  Marte Local Government comprises over 300 towns and villages. Now we have only one standing. If we cannot maintain this one, then we will lose the whole local government to the insurgents, which will be very obnoxious, and I think we will not allow this to happen.’’

But when he returned to the council as part of his efforts to restore peace, rebuild trust and foster sustainable development in the Lake Chad region, Zulum said:  “I am very happy, and insha Allah, normalcy will be restored soon. 

Read Also: After Marte, Kala-Balge, Zulum visits Wulgo

  “The Federal Government and the Nigerian Armed Forces have responded positively to our request to enhance security in the affected communities. We have seen many troops deployed and many pieces of equipment deployed.

“I want to commend the Nigerian Armed Forces for the cooperation they have been giving us; without their support, we couldn’t have done much. I want, once again, to commend all stakeholders who have contributed to our search for peace and the restoration of normalcy.”

  During the visit, the governor met behind closed doors with military commanders aimed at servicing modalities for restoring peace in Marte and the surrounding communities.

Zulum added: “I am here to monitor the efficacy of our ‘re-resettlement’ of the residents we conducted a few days ago. I am very happy to note that the community is fully back, and soldiers are on the ground. Normal economic activities have resumed in Marte.’’ 

  The governor was in company with members representing Marte, Monguno and Nganzai constituencies in the House of Representatives,     Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Sugun   Mele; and Commissioner for Agriculture,   Bawu Musami.